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Someone please try saying that five times fast. I dare you.
I think you’ll give yourself a good laugh, and on Thursday everyone needs a good laugh don’t cha think?
You see, my crazy, insane titles (I actually took the word casserole out) are meant to make people smile. It’s secretly my purpose behind them all… or I wish them to be. In reality, I just don’t like leaving a single thing out, but we have talked about this before. No need to be repetitive.
So you guys, I have this little confession that’s really not all that big of a secret.
I am the worst when it comes to spelling and grammar. Combine that with typing fast and wow, you have a whole lot of sentences that make no sense at all. And then you have a few sentences that totally just make you laugh (i.e the inappropriate ones). The only reason I am thinking of this right now is because I just read a sentence I wrote, only it wasn’t me talking, it was hillbilly Tieghan, and it pretty much made no sense at all. Then I just re-read this post and had to add this, at the end of this post I called you guys “scourges” (definition –Â a person or thing that causes great trouble or suffering), but meant Scrooges, not really a whole lot better, but none of my readers are scourges! I just have to put this out there, if I have ever said something that makes no sense at all or responded to an email, comment or other form of messaging that makes no sense at all, I am SO sorry and please just tell me right up that you have no idea what I am saying and I will try to correct it.
I try, I really do. Grammar, pronunciation and spelling are just not my thing.
How on earth these blog posts go up everyday and somehow make any amount of sense, I really do not know. Or well, I do, they get proofread… and then proofread again, and then there are still mistakes. So I proof once more and then I have other people proofread too. It is a lot of proofing, and then sometimes wondering what the heck I was actually trying to say. Basically, it’s just a process.
I have a feeling I can’t be alone in this though. I mean, I am not, right? Right?
And now we can talk about this Italian Quinoa Risotto Lasagna? Die hard Italian’s, don’t hate me, but I swapped the pasta for quinoa. And while you know that I absolutely whole heartedly love my pasta, this is a pretty delicious switch up. Kind of healthier too, but still totally cheesy because I clearly have a cheese problem.
And um, hello? Quinoa risotto? It’s so a thing and it’s so good. I mean, it’s not really as starchy and creamy as traditional risotto, BUT it’s still full of wine and cheese, and that’s just delish.
So basically this is a traditional lasagna, but made slightly healthier with quinoa. It may seem kind of boring, but honestly it’s really good. So good that I have made it three times this month. After the third time I figured I should probably take some pictures and tell you guys about it. At first I was just thinking it was one of those dishes that I threw together on a busy night and you guys would never hear about it, but then it turned out so good that I changed my mind.
I think one of the reasons I have been making this so much is because one, it’s pretty quick and easy (yeah for no layering!) and uses ingredients I always have on hand. It’s a pantry staple meal. Two, everyone will eat it. YES. The boys didn’t even notice they were eating quinoa (while, one asked what the balls were, but he kept eating even after I told him) and when that happens you know a dish is a real WINNER.
One of my secrets to making a quicker cooking sauce is to use spicy italian chicken sausage. I think it adds so much more flavor than the traditional ground beef. It takes a quicker cooking sauce to a whole new level. Trust me on this one, you have to try it.
The rest is all pretty simple. The quinoa risotto is not like typical risotto where you sit at the stove for 45 minutes and stir. No this is actually pretty easy and you really only end up stirring a total of maybe ten minutes. Plus, there is truffle oil involved. It kind of fancies up this casserole a bit and adds such a rich flavor. It’s a flavor that makes you think, “what is that”, but in a good way. I know it’s a pricy oil, but a little goes such a long way.
It’s so worth it if you ask me.
Also, can I mention that is the perfect dish to entertain with? Believe it or not, we are entering our last week of October on Monday and that means the busy holiday season is so close. So, so, so close. It’s exciting, nerve-racking and scary all at the same time if you ask me. With everything being so busy right now, I am trying extra hard to be thinking and planning ahead. I used to be so good at this, but then this blog happened, things got busy and I lost that trait that I loved so much. Well, I am kind of determined to get it back, and that starts with thinking ahead to the holidays… which I really love doing because I am holiday obsessed. Sorry, but not really.
I know, the Scrooges out there are not going to like me discussing a potential Christmas recipe in October (late October – c’mon), but in two-week weeks you’ll love me, because this is going to be your new go to when unexpected family, friends or whoever show up. This will save you. I am sure of it.
AND if you are not a meat eater or your guests do not eat meat, create a vegetarian sauce. Just swap the sausage for a mix of veggies. I would do butternut squash, mushrooms, peppers and carrots. Then maybe add in some beans or lentils for some nice texture + protein. Adaptable for everybody. Gotta love that.
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
And the cheese. Gotta love that too. Maybe extra love that.
I am totally making this lasagna. It looks great Tieghan.
Thank you so much, Meagan! I hope you love this lasagna and have a great weekend!
I am the worst speller! I think this recipe totally is healthy because it has quinoa 🙂
See, you know what’s up! 🙂
Thanks Laura!
I love all your recipes, so much flavor in each one. I usually hate quinoa, but you’ve slathered it in cheese. I can do that!
THANK YOU!
Oh this just looks magical! I could see myself eating this during the winter.
Thank you so much!
You had me at truffle 😉
Thanks Jennifer! 🙂
This looks so cheesy and delicious…it’s freezing here in CT today and this warm casserole can definitely hit the spot..can’t wait to try it. With recipes like these who cares about proofreading!!!
Thank you so much, Lisa! I hope you love this dish! 🙂
My eldest son puts the argument out there (usually to his English teacher) that there should be allowances & exceptions for southerners, perhaps even our own language! Ha
& also why he should have to learn Spanish while he’s still grapplin w/ English, such logic.:)
Haha! I love that! 🙂 Smart kid!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
I love this mix of risotto and lasagna, such a perfect weeknight meal – these flavors are my fave!
Thank you so much, Laura!
You made me laugh very early today! Thank you for this recipe; we’re pasta free and I Miss Pasta and appreciate new ways to eat meat sauce and cheese without it!
Yea!! So happy to make you laugh and in the morning too!!
Hope you love this!
YAYYYYYYY and yayyyyy! I love this healthy swap and clearly quinoa is trending, bring it on!
Thanks Sophia!
You and I must be on the same “food wavelength”! I just posted a veggie lasagna today! But yours looks incredible. I love that you did a quinoa risotto, the perfect sub for pasta! Yum!
Haha! It’s lasagna day!! Yumminess!
Thanks!
I’m an English major and totally stink at spelling. I grew up with spell check, so, of course, I blame that. I go through and edit my posts and still manage to miss something. I hired (I pay her in food) my mom to edit my posts once they go live. She always finds something. So, no, you’re not alone. This lasagna just blew my mind.
Haha! Spell check, it is may savor…when it works.
Thanks so much!
You are certainly not alone in this. I proof read like a zillion times and then I still find a mistake and I get so mad about it. I’m a perfectionist and stuff like that drives me CRAZY! Also, trying to be consistent across all posts with specific language is hard sometimes (like writing “ounce” in one post and “oz” in another). When I find stuff like that I have to go back and fix it immediately. Arg!
This casserole. Dying over it. Quinoa risotto – WHAT! And all that cheese. Yes please! Amazing, T!
Haha! I am the very same way. It. Is. Trying.
Thanks Liz!
Thank you for the post on grammar! Made me feel so much better– i mean, look at you, not friends with grammar, and you have your own post! And doing great ! ( everything you write makes sense by the way 🙂 My problem is that i don’t like re-reading what i just wrote, have no patience for it. Thanks God for spell-check, it should be active everywhere, in all little squares where you can write things 🙂
Cool dish. Just yesterday i saw a recipe for farroto ( risotto with farro, how cool is that?!), and today it’s with quinoa.. Love it! May have to half the cheese though.. Need some health benefits from quinoa 🙂
Thank you so much, Nikki!! Oh and I HATE re-reading what I wrote. It’s the worst.
Have a great weekend!
Oh my goodness, you just made me very hungry in the middle of my morning Analytical Chemistry lecture (don’t worry, I’ve done my work and am waiting for the answers to be discusses, I’m not skiving!). This looks divine, and all that cheeeeeese!
Haha! too funny! I love that you are reading this in class! 🙂
Thanks Laura!