Lasagna
So last night I wanted a comfort food. Something warm, a little spicy and just plain good home cookin'! So I cooked up this bad boy. Lasagna. Simple. Delicious. Home. These are the words I would use to describe this dish. My guys tore this baby up! Every. Last. Piece. GONE. Yep, it was that good. :)
So - I won't keep the mouth watering goodness all to myself. Recipe:
Lasagna
Prep: 45 minutes Bake: 30 minutes Oven: 375*
Stand: 10 minutes Makes: 8 servings
12 ounces bulk Italian or pork sausage or ground beef (I used ground beef)
1 cup chopped onion (1 large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning, crushed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed (optional)
6 dried lasagna noodles
1 egg, beaten
1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese or 2 cups cream-style cottage cheese, drained
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
1. For sauce, in a large saucepan cook sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat until meat is brown; drain off fat. Stir undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds (if desired), and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper into meat mixture. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain noodles; rinse with cold water. Drain well; set aside.
3. For filling, combine egg, ricotta, and the 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese; set aside.
4. Spread about 1/2 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Layer half of the cooked noodles in the dish, trimming or overlapping as necessary to fit. Spread with half of the filling. Top with half of the remaining sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. If desired, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese over top.
5. Place baking dish on a baking sheet (I just put my casserole dish on baking rack - didn't worry about a sheet. Mine didn't overflow). Bake in a 375* oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Voila! - Melinda -
*recipe credit: Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book "Celebrating the Promise" limited edition.*
