Tomato-French Bread Lasagna

Name: Tomato-French Bread Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 10 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1/3 cup chopped onion; 1/3 cup chopped celery; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 14 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick); 4 large tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided; 3 tablespoons butter; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1-1/2 cups whole milk; 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 30 min. Bake: 40 min. YIELD: 10 servings.

For a big hearty meal, I make this recipe as a side dish to go with veal cutlets or a roast. But you could also serve the beefy lasagna as a main dish. Just pair it with a tossed green salad and loaf of garlic bread. —Patricia Collins, Imbler, Oregon

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
14 slices French bread (1/2 inch thick)
4 large tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. In a skillet, cook beef, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink; drain and set aside. Toast bread; line the bottom of an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish with 10 slices. Top with half of the meat mixture and half of the tomatoes.
2. Combine seasonings; sprinkle half over tomatoes. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon oil. Crumble remaining bread over top. Repeat layers of meat, tomatoes, seasonings and oil.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually stir in milk; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in Parmesan. Pour over casserole. Top with mozzarella. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 280 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 17g protein.