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AIBU?

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Original poster

Made the lasagna without the lasagna

866 replies

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 13:26

What to do?

Just prepped for dinner, did all the mince with tomatoes, onion etc and made the cheese sauce, boiled some potatoes and went to get the lasagna sheets and don’t have any.
Not feeling 100% so cba going to the shops, how can I make it into a proper meal? I have some pasta I could use instead, but what about the potatoes? Save them for tomorrow 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
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11
Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 22:14

Smeegall · 05/01/2026 22:14

I don't understand either ..!

No potatoes in a lasagne...?

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On the side @Smeegall on the side…

OP posts:
Smeegall · 05/01/2026 22:14

Favouritefruits · 05/01/2026 13:28

I’m sorry what are the potatoes for? Just make the lasagne into a pasta bake?

I don't understand either ..!

No potatoes in a lasagne...?

Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 22:13

Bobiverse · 05/01/2026 22:05

It’s in the sauce. You slow cook the sauce with peppers and carrots, and then blend the sauce if you want it smooth.

You don’t just use onion, garlic and tomato.

Edited
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Today has been a real eye opener 😂

I will continue to make my mums lasagna with potatoes recipe and pass it down to my Dc, even if it’s not the right way-at all to make it-it would seem?! it honestly is a bloody delicious, cheesy and stodgy loveliness though

OP posts:
hannonle · 05/01/2026 22:12

Use normal pasta. I use cheese sauce and just on the top. My pasta was precooked and in the oven to crisp the top.

Made the lasagna without the lasagna
cherish123 · 05/01/2026 22:10

Jennyfur · 05/01/2026 13:29

So confused where the potatoes have come from? Just add pasta and cheese and it’s a pasta bake

I was wondering that. I assume it was in place of the lasagne sheets to make a moussaka.

Bobiverse · 05/01/2026 22:05

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:58

No def not..tinned tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, tomato puree…never had peppers in a lasagna before..only maybe a vegetarian one perhaps

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It’s in the sauce. You slow cook the sauce with peppers and carrots, and then blend the sauce if you want it smooth.

You don’t just use onion, garlic and tomato.

FOJN · 05/01/2026 21:55

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:07

I hold my hands up and admit I’ve never made Shepherds pie or cottage pie. I make Chilli, but i’m guessing i’m doing that one wrong too as it’s basically the same recipe as the lasagna but with chilli powder in, my mum put baked beans in Chilli con carneeee in the 90’s

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Chilli needs ground cumin, coriander and chilli; fresh, dried, liquid - I'm not a purist. And I usually add just a tiny bit of cinnamon. No doubt it would make a mexican weep but I like it.

I'm not fussy about the beans either, I use kidney, black or borlotti depending on what I fancy at the time.

HoorayHattie · 05/01/2026 21:32

It's about time Mumsnet produced a new recipe book ~ let's hope they choose OP as a contributor 🤔

Cherrytree86 · 05/01/2026 21:30

Tomorrow is a new day, OP

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 05/01/2026 21:23

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:07

I hold my hands up and admit I’ve never made Shepherds pie or cottage pie. I make Chilli, but i’m guessing i’m doing that one wrong too as it’s basically the same recipe as the lasagna but with chilli powder in, my mum put baked beans in Chilli con carneeee in the 90’s

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Ah see we had baked beans in cottage pie!!

in a cottage pie you don’t usually have the tinned toms. So it’s mince, onions etc and some chopped veg. Then a stock or lea and perrins. But I expect there’s lots of versions. I prefer cottage (beef) to shepherds (lamb). Just my preference.

with a chilli you can use the powder! But I like with either kidney beans too - you can get them in chilli sauce. Mash some avocado for some guacamole.

SwingTheMonkey · 05/01/2026 21:23

Op you’ve been a brilliant sport on this thread. I honestly thought you were trolling at one point but you crack on with your unorthodox recipes. I’ve got plenty myself that would make an Italian/Indian etc cry but I’m in the privacy of my own home so don’t care!

SwingTheMonkey · 05/01/2026 21:12

Bobiverse · 05/01/2026 20:13

You’re really not meant to. At least freeze it in between.

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My husband was a chef and has no problems with reheating things more than once. Honestly, I’ve never known anyone who thinks you can only reheat things once - that’s overly cautious.

Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:09

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 21:04

Ah sorry don't mean to mock you just found this whole thread really fun. I'm sure it did taste good, it's mash and meat and cheese sauce. We just think very differently 😅

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😂That’s ok

OP posts:
Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:07

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 05/01/2026 21:04

Might be worth you getting a recipe book OP!

but each to their own - if you like it then carry on!

a good shepherds pie or cottahe pie is delicious but you need need a bit more love/time for these recipes. The longer they cook down the better.

and yes some nice celery/carrot is really yummy too. Also good for getting extra veg in people. I grate courgette into my Bol/mince and it cooks down so kids don’t really see it.

I do love a mushroom in mine (prob get shot down for that!) but kids won’t eat them. Sad times.

have you made a chilli - that’s another yummy adaptation for your mince. Add some kidney beans and chilli sauce/flakes. And rice. Or tortillas. No boiled potatoes though!!!! 😂

I hold my hands up and admit I’ve never made Shepherds pie or cottage pie. I make Chilli, but i’m guessing i’m doing that one wrong too as it’s basically the same recipe as the lasagna but with chilli powder in, my mum put baked beans in Chilli con carneeee in the 90’s

OP posts:
rainbowsandraspberrygin · 05/01/2026 21:05

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:01

No, it was mash with mince on top and then the bechamel drizzled over (as per pic) wasn’t put in the oven

Look, I have literally no idea, but it tasted passable, not as good as my normal lasagna and potatoes, just really f disappointing day today! Not sure what happened

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You made food. Take the win!!

also - going back to leafy greens. If you’re not a fan of lettuce/rocket etc then some kale is nice. Or even some broccoli? I always needs something green with my dinner.

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 05/01/2026 21:04

Might be worth you getting a recipe book OP!

but each to their own - if you like it then carry on!

a good shepherds pie or cottahe pie is delicious but you need need a bit more love/time for these recipes. The longer they cook down the better.

and yes some nice celery/carrot is really yummy too. Also good for getting extra veg in people. I grate courgette into my Bol/mince and it cooks down so kids don’t really see it.

I do love a mushroom in mine (prob get shot down for that!) but kids won’t eat them. Sad times.

have you made a chilli - that’s another yummy adaptation for your mince. Add some kidney beans and chilli sauce/flakes. And rice. Or tortillas. No boiled potatoes though!!!! 😂

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 21:04

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:01

No, it was mash with mince on top and then the bechamel drizzled over (as per pic) wasn’t put in the oven

Look, I have literally no idea, but it tasted passable, not as good as my normal lasagna and potatoes, just really f disappointing day today! Not sure what happened

Show quote history

Ah sorry don't mean to mock you just found this whole thread really fun. I'm sure it did taste good, it's mash and meat and cheese sauce. We just think very differently 😅

Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 21:01

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 20:56

Wait, was it just mash on top of mince, or did you put the whole thing in the oven so the mash could brown?

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No, it was mash with mince on top and then the bechamel drizzled over (as per pic) wasn’t put in the oven

Look, I have literally no idea, but it tasted passable, not as good as my normal lasagna and potatoes, just really f disappointing day today! Not sure what happened

OP posts:
Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:58

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 20:56

Yeah I'm asking, you don't put them in? You just use beef onion and tomato? I use carrot, pepper, herbs, bit of garlic

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No def not..tinned tomatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, tomato puree…never had peppers in a lasagna before..only maybe a vegetarian one perhaps

OP posts:
glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 20:56

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:55

I can assure you he did! We don’t eat it, he saw mash & mince. I didn’t say anything, just let him think it was 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Wait, was it just mash on top of mince, or did you put the whole thing in the oven so the mash could brown?

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 20:56

Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:50

I didn’t put carrot or red pepper in??!

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Yeah I'm asking, you don't put them in? You just use beef onion and tomato? I use carrot, pepper, herbs, bit of garlic

Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:55

Fends · 05/01/2026 20:37

He did not look at that and say Ooh Shepherds Pie 🥧

I can assure you he did! We don’t eat it, he saw mash & mince. I didn’t say anything, just let him think it was 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:53

PortSalutPlease · 05/01/2026 19:46

Sorry OP but that is the saddest and most depressing lasagna recipe I’ve ever seen. I’m guessing that cooking is not your thing?

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But why? Genuinely why???

OP posts:
Original poster
Brainfogtothemax · 05/01/2026 20:50

glitterpaperchain · 05/01/2026 18:35

This whole thread is absolutely barmy 😂 I've been a vegetarian literally my entire life and even my first thought was, just mash the potatoes and make it a cottage pie, put the bechamel in the freezer for another day!

And if you want to have potatoes with lasagne fine, but you can't then insist potatoes with pasta is weird! Lasagne is pasta! And you dont put carrot or red pepper in the lasagne, it's literally just beef onion and tomato??

I didn’t put carrot or red pepper in??!

OP posts:
Delphiniumandlupins · 05/01/2026 20:44

Sorry I am so late to your thread but you can make a lovely lasagne (ish) with wraps instead of pasta sheets. Just assemble in a round dish rather than a square one. Any bits of wrap doubled over or uncovered by sauce go nice and crispy.

PS although green I wouldn't class broccoli as leafy