Veggie Sweet Potato Lasagna

Serves 4-6

Red Sauce Layer 1
24 oz jar of pasta sauce (I use Newman’s Own Mushroom Marinara but a homemade sauce could also be used here)
1 onion chopped
1 cup black beans (I had these pre-made and in the freezer but you could use canned beans)
1 red pepper center removed, chopped
1 orange pepper center removed, chopped
1 large floret of broccoli, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped into small cubes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 medium tomatoes chopped

Add coconut oil to pan and bring to medium heat. Saute onions until golden brown. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Add red and orange peppers and broccoli and cook for an additional 3-4 mins. Add zucchini, black beans, and tomatoes. Cook for an additional 3-4 mins on medium heat stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add jar of pasta sauce. Bring mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 10-12 mins on low heat. Set mixture aside

Cauliflower Combo Layer 2
½ cup Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 head cauliflower

Blend cauliflower in a food processor until consistency is flour like. In a separate bowl add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and blended cauliflower and mix with a fork. Set mixture aside.

Sweet Potato Slices Layer 3
1 sweet potato

Peel and slice sweet potato length wise in about 1/16 inch slices. Using a mandolin will help get the slices even. Set slices aside.

Ricotta Mixture Layer 4
1 egg
15 oz container of part skim ricotta cheese
8 oz container 1% low fat cottage cheese
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon pepper
1 cup spinach, chopped

Mix all ingredients until smooth and set aside

Assembly
1 18 oz bag of low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese (any cheese can be used like a low fat cheddar or a mixture of both)
½ cup Parmesan cheese
coconut oil

Rub an 11×13 inch glass baking dish with coconut oil (or can use pam spray as an alternative). Add the first layer (Red Sauce) on the bottom of the dish. Don’t make the layer too think. Then add the second layer (Cauliflower Combo). Then add third layer (Sweet Potato Slices). There will be some gaps and that’s ok. Add the fourth layer (Ricotta Mixture) and press down to make sure the layers are now level. Sprinkle a good coverage layer of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat this process one more time. For the sequence of layers just put red sauce sprinkled with a little mozzarella and a little Parmesan cheese so the top doesn’t burn. Put foil on dish and place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven. Bake covered for 45-50 mins. Then remove foil cover and bake for an additional 25-35 mins uncovered. Let cool.