Why turkey lasagne is a favourite
Choosing turkey lasagne provides a fresh take on a familiar comfort food. The meat has a mild flavour that absorbs the herbs and tomato sauce perfectly. It is often lower in fat than red meat versions while remaining very filling. You will find that the texture is tender and works well with the soft pasta sheets.
Step by step: turkey lasagne
Prepare the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until it is soft and translucent. Add the minced turkey and fry until it is browned all over. Break up any large chunks of meat with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Simmer the sauce: Stir in the crushed garlic, tomato puree, and chopped tomatoes. Add the dried oregano and a little salt and pepper for seasoning. Let the sauce simmer for about ten minutes until it thickens slightly. This ensures the turkey lasagne has a deep and concentrated flavour.
Layer the dish: Spread a small amount of the turkey sauce on the bottom of an ovenproof dish. Place a layer of pasta sheets on top, followed by more sauce and a layer of white sauce. Repeat these layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a thick layer of white sauce.
Bake until golden: Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese over the top layer of the dish. Place it in a preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius for thirty minutes. The cheese should be bubbling and golden brown when it is finished. Let the turkey lasagne rest for a few minutes before serving.
Important tips for turkey lasagne
If you want to add more vegetables, finely diced carrots or mushrooms work very well in the meat sauce. They add extra moisture and bulk to the turkey lasagne without changing the overall taste. Using a good quality shop-bought or homemade white sauce will make the dish extra creamy.
Always make sure the pasta sheets are fully covered by the sauce to prevent them from drying out in the oven. If the top of the dish browns too quickly, you can cover it loosely with foil for the final ten minutes. Letting the dish sit after baking makes it much easier to slice into neat portions. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to two days.
You can also try these recipes:
peppers stuffed with tuna,
rum balls or
caesar dressing.