APPLE-APRICOT BREAKFAST LASAGNA

Apple-Apricot Breakfast Lasagna image

A sweet breakfast lasagna may sound odd, but there's nothing wrong with this flavor combo. If you're familiar with kugel, a sweet noodle custard, then this lasagna won't be too foreign to you. We love the layers of pasta, cheese, dried fruit and apricot glaze.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 10h15m

Yield 10 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

12 lasagna noodles (about 8 ounces)
Vegetable oil, for tossingg
12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups ricotta
2 large eggs, plus 1 large egg yolk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2/3 cup apricot preserves
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more, melted, for brushing the baking dish
3 tablespoons lemon juice (from 1 large lemon)
1 cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
1 cup dried apple rings, coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sliced, skin-on almonds
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Steps:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the noodles, and cook according to package directions. Strain into a colander, and toss with oil. Drape the noodles over and around the side of the colander to cool.
Process the cream cheese, ricotta, eggs, egg yolk and granulated sugar in a food processor until combined and smooth.
Microwave the preserves, butter and lemon juice in a microwavable medium bowl until the butter melts, about 1 minute. Stir to combine.
Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with melted butter. Spread 3 tablespoons of the preserves mixture over the bottom. Arrange 4 slightly overlapping noodles to cover the bottom of the dish. Spread 1/3 of the remaining preserves mixture over the noodles. Top with 1/2 the ricotta mixture. Scatter 1/2 the apricots and apple rings over the ricotta, then dust the entire layer with 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon. Repeat with another layer of 4 noodles, 1/2 the remaining preserves mixture and the remaining ricotta mixture, apricots and apple rings and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. Finish with the remaining 4 noodles, and spread with the remaining preserves mixture. Cover the top with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Meanwhile, swirl the almonds in a small skillet over medium heat until browned and toasted in spots.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish, and cover with foil. Bake until the lasagna is very hot and the layers are set, about 40 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake for 10 minutes more. Top with the toasted almonds, and dust with confectioners' sugar. Let sit 10 minutes before cutting and serving. The lasagna can also be eaten at room temperature.