Is there any dish that ticks all the comfort food boxes more than lasagna? Though a traditional recipe of layered ground meat and cheese is classic finery at its very best, lasagna is a dish that demands creativity. Essentially, if you can layer it, it can become lasagna. Take a look at the following recipes for some amazingly different yet astonishingly delicious takes on the classic Italian recipe.
1. Traditional Lasagna
It’d be impossible to put together a list of amazingly delicious lasagna recipes and fail to give props to the classic Italian dish. Food Network Star Giada De Laurentiis pays homage to one of Italy’s greatest dishes with this traditional recipe, including how to make your own sauce. This recipe can also easily go vegetarian by simply omitting the beef.
2. Raw Beet Lasagna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG337xVkJkU
If the thought of raw lasagna makes your toes curl in a bad way, then it’s high time you took another look. Made by layering deceptively simple ingredients such as spinach and beets, this lasagna means you can chow down Italian-style without piling on the pounds. The “cheese” is actually made from cashews, with surprisingly delicious results.
3. Seafood Lasagna
If you’re looking for a recipe to absolutely impress the pants off someone, look no further than this creamy seafood feast. Loaded with crab, shrimp, and scallops, this recipe is very easy to assemble in advance, giving you more time at your party or with your main squeeze. For truly special occasions, try adding lobster to the mix at the same time you add the crab.
4. Butternut Squash & Goat’s Cheese Lasagna
Who says a vegetarian lasagna can’t be sexy? This little number makes great use of butternut squash, spinach and creamy goat’s cheese to devastatingly delicious affect. Try using pumpkin or other squashes to mix it up throughout the year.
5. No Noodle Zucchini & Kale Lasagna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvEhyfLBA2I
Low carb diet? Need to eat gluten free? Just don’t have any lasagna noodles in the house? Never fear, a pasta-free lasagna is here! With zucchini standing in for the noodles, you’ll be eating healthy without even realizing it.
6. Mega Meat Lasagna
Veggie lasagna is great, and even raw vegan lasagna makes a nice change. But every once in a while, you need to get down with a huge meaty, cheesy pile of love. This recipe comes courtesy of Emeril Lagasse, a man who’s not known for doing anything by halves. Featuring beef, pork and veal, this is one for the carnivores. Want to take it one step beyond? Try adding a layer of pepperoni for good measure.
7. South In Your Mouth Lasagna
Sometimes called “White Trash Lasagna,” this recipe takes a southern barbecue joint and marries it car-crash style to the classic Italian dinner. While there may be no shotgun involved, this is one dish that’s sure to turn heads. Though you can make all the ingredients yourself, there’s no shame in popping by your favorite local barbecue joint for some extra help. Try layering collard greens in the mix for a real taste of below the Mason-Dixon line.
8. Slow Cooker Lasagna
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D13lvPA4-3U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOoWZpPqUQE
When kitchen whiz Alton Brown says using the slow cooker is the best way to make lasagna, people tend to listen. By going this direction with your lasagna, you can easily make everyone’s favorite Italian dish an easy weeknight meal.
9. White Lasagna
Lasagna is one of the easiest “wins” you can count on for a great dinner party dish. But why show up with the same old thing? This silky, sexy lasagna showcases meaty mushrooms with salty prosciutto for a mega-flavorsome mouthful. Top tip: look for no-boil lasagna noodles with straight edges for maximum class.
10. Mexican Lasagna
Like the southern lasagna above, sometimes a marriage between flavors and styles can result in an awesomely tasty dish. Mexican lasagna is loaded with everything you love about your favorite taco stand, but in layer form. Corn tortillas take the place of pasta, making this an easy and quick way to get your fix of both Mexican and Italian flavors all at once.
Featured photo credit: Lasagna/mckennp via flickr.com
