I wouldn’t rate the Italian food we have around here top notch. The restaurants put forth a great effort, but there always seems to be something lacking in the tomato sauce. However, I should clarify that just because it may not be rated best in the world, or even the best in Brazil for that matter, it doesn’t mean it is lacking in creativity.
In a previous post, I introduced the wonderful Italian rodizio restaurant. A quick refresher, rodizio is a style of eating similar to a buffet, but in reverse. The waiters bring all the dishes to you and you accept a small portion of each you want to try.
In that post, I left out a dish that I was pleasantly surprised by. On our second visit to the restaurant we were offered Lasagna com Canela – Lasagna with Cinnamon. As happens with most dishes I’m unfamiliar with, I was intrigued. And after one bite, I was a fan.
I recently recreated the dish at home adding in a few extra vegetables and enjoyed it just as much. It is difficult to describe the flavor the cinnamon adds to the dish. The spice combined with the tomato sauce really brings out a delicious sweetness.
I have to be honest though. I have a feeling this will be one dish that you will either enjoy or dislike. For example, I like it, my husband, on the other hand does not prefer it. It is the sweetness he doesn’t enjoy so much. Nonetheless, I’ll share it here and next time I’ll make a reduced recipe since I may be the only one infatuated by it. Kind of like me and my spicy peanut sauce.
Lasagna with Cinnamon
1 package lasagna noodles, partially cooked 
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tbsp olive oil
2 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tbsp olive oil
2 small zucchini, halved and sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
2 batches Easy Pasta Sauce (add 1 can tomato sauce to the doubled recipe)
2 – 3 cups cheese, shredded
2 batches Easy Pasta Sauce (add 1 can tomato sauce to the doubled recipe)
2 – 3 cups cheese, shredded
In a skillet brown the beef or turkey, add the cinnamon and set aside. In a separate skillet heat the olive oil and cook the zucchini, onion and garlic for five to seven minutes or until veggies slightly tender. Season with salt and pepper as desired. Set aside. Now add the pasta sauce to the cooked ground beef and mix well to combine.
In a deep 9×13 baking dish layer your noodles, sauce, veggies and cheese in your favorite order. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly. Let set for at least 5 minutes before serving.
I bet that lasagna would taste a little like Greek moussaka then (since it typically contains cinnamon and is a “layered dish” like lasagna sometimes) – delish! 🙂
Yes, now that you mention it, it does seem more similar to Greek dishes I’ve had. Hmmm…
ahhh the love it or hate it dish 😉 I love cinnamon so I’m sure I will lurvee this! Thanks for sharing the yummy recipe 🙂 When do you guys come back to the states?
When I saw the title it gave me pause, not sure about the cinnamon, but it certainly sounds intriguing.
I made spaghetti and meatballs once with cinnamon (I think I saw tyler florence use it on TV, so I gave it a try). I actually thought it complemented the meat well, especially with a beef or lamb meatball. Like you, my husband wasn’t a fan so I never added cinnamon again. Think I might try it again, and this time I won’t tell him there is cinnamon it it – he’ll probably love it.
That sounds delicious! I find that I seem to like cinnamon in a lot of dishes it at first seems “odd” in. It goes with more things that one would at first think.
Thanks for sharing! (Ha, though I’d imagine my husband would also be one who would hate it ; )
I think cinnamon in lasagna sounds so delicious! I had a Greek Pastichio with nutmeg in it and it was one of the best things I’ve ever had.
Lasagna with Cinnamon? Wow.. that’s so new to me, would love to try it 🙂
I can see the cinnamon adding a really good flavor
Cinnamon is an intriguing addition to lasagna! I’d love to try it. I have a feeling that my daughter and I will love it (not sure about my husband as he’s not much of a cinnamon fan).
Glad to see I have some intrigued. 🙂 Definitely give it a try. It is surprisingly good if you don’t mind a sweet flavor with your salty.
I would really like to taste this! After reading the comments comparing the flavor to moussaka and pastitsio, I’m all for it! My mother used to put sugar in her tomato sauce (to cut down on acidity?) so that flavor is not unappealing to me but my husband may not be as keen. No worries – I’ll just split the sauce in two batches!