Guest Series: Spicy Vegetarian Lasagna {Julia}

I'm ecited to welcome Julia from Pain, Pride and Perseverance: My Running Journey. I started reading Julia's blog about 3-weeks ago and tremendously enjoyed her way with words and how she shares her running journey. It seems like something in every blog post leaves me thinking. Love that!  Julia commented on my blog and mentioned spicy lasagna. I wanted the recipe! After emailing her and asking if she would be a part of my Fitness, Health and Happiness Guest Series she agreed to share her recipe. Thanks Julia!

Hello everyone! Thanks to Jill for having me over on her blog today.  My name is Julia and I blog over at Pain, Pride and Perseverance. I started my blog last November as a way to document my journey toward my first marathon this past June. Little did I know that my blog would mean so much more than that to me (and I hope to others as well!).  I played softball in college and after graduation I gained nearly 30 pounds…eek. I started running just over a year ago as a way to get back into shape. It took a few months to commit but I finally made the full commitment to staying active and living a healthy lifestyle. I am currently a poor graduate student so I do not always get to “treat myself” to yummy meals like this one…but I LOVE to cook and bake, so if I am going to make something…I go all out with my favorite recipes.

This is one of my absolute favorites and I hope that you all can enjoy it just as much as I have. If you want to read more about my continuing journey in running, my adventures with my sweet pup (Riley) or just to catch up on my most recent lessons learned from life (and to share some of your own), head on over and join the fun  For now…enjoy this lasagna!

 

Spicy Vegetarian Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2/3 cup diced red bell pepper
• 2/3 cup diced orange bell pepper
• 2/3 cup diced yellow bell pepper
• 2/3 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 dash crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 eggs (or less if desired)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Other Veggies if desired (mushrooms, spinach, etc)

 Directions

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and place on wax paper to cool. 

• Cook bell peppers and onion in olive oil in a large saucepan until onions are translucent. (Add other veggies if desired). Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, and red pepper flakes. More red pepper flakes can be added if spicier sauce is preferred. I also often add minced garlic and extra siracha hot sauce to make it a bit spicier/flavorful. Simmer for 30 minutes. 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). In a medium bowl, combine Parmesan cheese, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, eggs, black pepper, and oregano. 

• Place a small amount of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce. Place three lasagna noodles lengthwise in pan. Layer some of the cheese mixture and the vegetable sauce on top of noodles. Repeat layering with remaining ingredients, ending with noodles. Spread reserved sauce over top of noodles. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. (I usually also add fiesta blend or some other type of shredded cheese to the top as well…but I like mine extra cheesy!)

• Cover dish with foil, and bake for 40 minutes or until bubbly. Remove foil during last 10 minutes of baking.  

ENJOY!

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Reminder 

 Link up tomorrow with Fitness Friday! Share you joy and passion for all things health and fitness!

Comments

[Julia]

yay!!! love this! thanks for having me :)

[Summer]

Wow this looks awesome. I love spice and I love lasagna so this looks great!

[jillconyers]

You did a great job Julia! Can't wait to try the lasagna but it may have to wait until it's not so hot out and I'm motivated to turn on the oven :)

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault

[jillconyers]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting Summer!

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault

[Carleen]

This looks delicious!! I'm not a vegetarian but still like to have at least one meat free night a week, definitely putting this in the line up soon! Thanks for sharing!

[sharon]

This looks great!! I'll have to try it!

[jillconyers]

Hi Sharon. I'm waiting until it's a little cooler but it's definitely a recipe I'm going to try.

Jill Conyers
My Blog: http://jillconyers.typepad.com/
How often in life we complete a task that was beyond the capability of the person we were when we started it. ~Robert Brault