Lasagna with a Fun Twist

Lasagna with a Fun Twist… Make mouthwatering slow cooker lasagna with juicy beef strips, hidden veggies like grated zucchini and carrots, rich tomato sauce, and creamy cheese layers. No-fuss layering with pasta sheets, topped with parmesan, cream, and paprika. Cook low and slow for tender bites everyone loves—perfect family dinner twist!

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the Meat Mix

• 1 kg raw beef stir-fry strips

• 1 grated zucchini

• 1-2 grated carrots

• 1 chopped onion

• 1 (400g) can diced Italian tomatoes

• 1 (820g) can tomato soup

• Mixed herbs (as much as you like)

• Minced garlic (a big dash or two)

• Black pepper (to taste)
  Fun adds: Chopped bacon (2-3 slices) or diced red bell pepper

For the Cheesy Sauce

• 2-3 tablespoons butter

• Plain flour (enough for a paste)

• Dash of cayenne pepper (to taste)

• Black pepper (to taste)

• Almost 1 liter milk

• Grated cheese (lots, to your taste)

Topping Fun

• Parmesan cheese

• Cream

• Sweet paprika

Other

• Lasagna pasta sheets (no boil)

Lasagna with a Fun Twist: Steps

1. Mix the Meat: Put beef strips, grated zucchini, carrots, chopped onion, tomatoes, soup, herbs, garlic, and pepper in a big bowl. Stir well. Let it sit.

2. Make Cheesy Sauce: In a pot, melt butter over low heat. Add a pinch of cayenne and black pepper—don’t let it burn! Stir in flour to make a paste. Cook a minute.
   Add milk little by little, stirring all the time until thick like gravy. Mix in grated cheese until melty and yummy.

3. Layer It Up: In your oval slow cooker, start with meat mix. Add pasta sheets. Pour on cheesy sauce. Repeat layers until everything’s used. End with cheesy sauce on top.

4. Add Toppings: Scatter thin bell pepper strips, sprinkle parmesan, drizzle cream, and dust with sweet paprika.

5. Cook Slow: Put lid on for 3 hours. Then slide lid halfway for 3 more hours. Last hour, take lid off to brown a bit. Total 7 hours.

6. Serve: Let it rest a bit so it holds together. Dig in and enjoy the cheesy, meaty goodness!

Tip: I tried a tea towel for steam, but it didn’t help much. Half-lid trick works best!