Things have been a little hectic around here lately, as I understand is par for the course when someone in your household is preparing to defend his or her PhD dissertation. The good news? Mr. Cake Pants passed his defense and is now officially Dr. Cake Pants! In the days leading up to (and after) the big day, I’ve been busy supporting him the best way I know how: by cooking and baking all his favorite foods! We’ve had chicken pot pie, mango carrot cake, Jamaican jerk chicken pasta, tart cherry pie, and last but not least, this three-cheese turkey lasagna with broccoli. On a related note, I’ve also been busy going for a lot of runs, because we’ve been eating like kings.
I first shared this lasagna three years ago, so I decided to take some new photos and update the post. One of the things I love about lasagna is how excited everyone gets about it. Homemade lasagna is a true labor of time love, and people know it! Despite the fairly long prep time, however, I’m reminded every time I make this recipe that it’s well worth the effort—it’s so hearty and satisfying that a little bit goes a long way.
This three-cheese turkey lasagna with broccoli was originally inspired by a Martha Stewart casserole. Before I came across that casserole, I had some vague notion that tomato-based dishes and broccoli were incompatible, but that recipe proved me wrong! I decided to create a lasagna along the same lines, because I’ve never really been a fan of spinach lasagna. I like spinach well enough (stop laughing, Mom and Dad, it’s grown on me!), but the idea of small, dark masses of limp spinach in between layers of pasta has never really thrilled me. Broccoli, on the other hand, retains its color and texture much better when cooked, which I think makes for a more appealing lasagna.
Which dishes do you turn to when you’re preparing for or celebrating a big day?
I’m sharing this post at the following link parties: Recipe of the Week, The Wednesday Showcase, Welcome Home Wednesdays, and Fiesta Friday.
This looks delicious, and congratulations to Dr. Cake Pants!
Thanks! I’ll pass along the well wishes
YAY! Congratulations to Dr. Cake Pants! You guys must be so happy
Lasagna truly is a labor of love. Funnily enough, I made it for us last weekend! It’s one of my favorite dishes. I’ve never tried cottage cheese before, I may have to give it a go!
Thanks, Heather! Yes, we’re both quite relieved that his defense is now behind us. That’s funny that you also made a lasagna last week! This weather we’re having is perfect lasagna weather, isn’t it?
I love that you used ground turkey in this recipe Mara and that you added some broccoli so we can get in our greens! Looks delish!
Broccoli is one of my all-time favorite veggies, so I love incorporating it into recipes whenever I can. Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann!
Congrats, Dr. Cake Pants! He’s really lucky to have a great supporter like you on his side and not have to worry about being satisfied with his next meal
I’m all for adding veggies to lasagna! Spinach or broccoli, it doesn’t matter as long as there’s cheese 
Thanks, Patty! He obviously had to do the heavy lifting in writing the actual dissertation, but I like to think that I did my part by making sure he was well fed
And yes, I’m good as long as there’s cheese!
First of all, congrats to your fiance! That is awesome!! Second of all, this lasagna. This looks like a masterpiece, Mara! In fact, I say this lasagna should be awarded a PhD. (Nevermind the whole lack of comps, coursework and dissertation…minor details!) Seriously, though, the broccoli in here looks so awesome! It does indeed take a while to make lasagna, but then you get some awesome leftovers for the week. Oh, and well done on the new pictures, my friend!
Mmm…but can you imagine how delightful lasagna coursework would be? Thanks so much, David! I’ll pass along the congratulations
This lasagna looks so tasty and nourishing! I love making/eating lasagna, and I love making it for others too. I’m sure Mr. Cakepants appreciated it!
I have not tried adding broccoli to my lasagna before, but it looks delicious!
He most certainly did appreciate it! I hope you get a chance to try broccoli in your lasagna sometime – I really love it! Thanks for stopping by, Jenny
WHOA! I am so impressed with your food photography! HOW ON EARTH did you get that to look GOODDDD!!!!!
Thanks so much, Gigi – I’m blushing! The lasagna really did most of the work. The pops of green from the broccoli really brightened things up
Very cool. Congratulations!
Thanks, Mimi
I’ll pass along your well wishes!
This is one delicious looking lasagna Mara!
Thanks, Julie! Have a great weekend!
I love the sound of this! What a filling meal. I could eat the whole pan.
Thanks for sharing, Mara! Happy FF! x
Thanks so much! Happy Fiesta Friday to you too
Good choice for a re-visit because this looks crazy good. Photographing lasagna in an appealing way is the holy grail of food photography and you nailed it friend! Congrats to Dr. Cake Pants!
Thanks so much, Jess! That means a lot to me, coming from you
Since I don’t work particularly quickly, I typically shy away from shooting foods with lots of cheese on top, so I was a little nervous about this one!
Omg! This lasagna looks soo good, especially with all that cheese on top! And I love that there’s a balance between the meat and the veggies! Thanks for sharing with us at FF!
Thanks, Jess! Yes, I agree – gotta love dishes that are balanced and a meal in and of themselves!
this sounds perfect for celebrating! i think anything homemade does the trick, but anything with a bit more thought and effort is so much more special. i typically don’t use broccoli in lasagna, but agree that it adds such a nice color!
Agreed! It’s the thought that counts. I hope you have a chance to try this sometime