Paleo Lasagna

Here is a Paleo version of the "traditional" lasagna. What is it about lasagna? "Without noodles?" you may say and think you will be deprived of that heavy-hearty-thick-amazing wide noodle dish. I hope this dish twists your taste buds and wakes them up to enjoy these new flavors. If you don't like eggplant (Marty wasn't a fan. Well that is old news!) just give it a try! This meal isn't missing any flavors. The nice thing about Lasagna is each time you make it, it is an experiment. Have fun! 

Paleo Lasagna

2 Tbls olive oil

1.5-2lbs ground beef

1/2 lb Italian sausage or ground pork (if it's pork- add 1 Tbls herb mix, dash salt/pepper and mix)

small onion diced

3 cloves garlic minced

salt (I eyeball this)

pepper (as peppery as you like)

1-2 Tbls mixed herbs

1 large eggplant sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 zucchini sliced 1/4 inch thick

2 small head and stocks broccoli cut up in chunks

2 cups fresh spinach

6-8 mushrooms sliced (depends on how much you like mushrooms!)

1 small can tomato paste or about 1/4 cup 

6 roma tomatoes chopped and blended in food processor (or use 1 can of diced tomatoes) 

In a fry pan heat 1 Tbls olive oil. Add ground beef and pork and start to brown. Add onion, mushroom slices, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper. Fold into the meat and brown completely.

Add tomato paste, tomato sauce and broccoli. Let simmer and hang out a bit. While that is cooking, prep the eggplant and zucchini wheels.

In a casserole pan add to bottom 1 Tbls olive oil and spread all over. Add one layer of meat mixture, a layer of eggplant/zucchini, and then a layer of spinach. Repeat with a final layer of meat on top.

Cover and bake for about 30 min. Check and turn pan and cook an additional 15 min. Check and see if eggplant and zucchini are tender. Uncover and cook for about 10 more minutes. Remove lasagna from oven and let rest for 5-10 min. 

Serve with tomato slices, olives - drizzled with olive oil and a dash of coarse sea salt. 

Enjoy!

Gluten free and Paleo friendly meal

*If you are not dairy intolerant and want to add a bit of cheese, this would be wonderful with some feta cheese sprinkled on top.