Meaty Lasagna
I haven't made Lasagna in a long time, so when a friend here in the jungle asked " hey when can I come over to dinner" I said what do you want? Funny usually most people don't invite themselves over for dinner but she did and I really like her so I said, and what do you want? Quickly she said Lasagna and I said really? Not my fav thing to make, But after I thought about it for a minute I thought this is a fun challenge, first off I couldn't find Ricotta Cheese in our market, sometimes it's there and other times it's not. So I made my own, it's really easy. I made Grandma Marie's sauce and added Italian Sausage and ground beef. It's Meaty and Chuck said it's the best he has ever had. Oh Chuck. He dose love meat and I don't always let him have it. Although lately he has wanted more. Getting old I guess. I don't even eat meat and really don't mind making it. I have been making meat dinners for all my guys for ever. No one even notices I don't eat meat, I have never been a meat eater and never made a big deal of it. There is always something I can eat. This was not a choice for me I was born this way. Go figure. Anyway The Lasagna, don't get me wrong I did taste the sauce and it is great if I may say so myself and I do.
3 Italian sausages take the casing off
3/4 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion chopped small
4 cloves of garlic chopped small
1 teaspoon chili flakes or to taste I like it hot
1 can 28 oz crushed tomato or whole and just mash them up a bit
1 can tomato paste
2 8oz cans tomato sauce
about 1 Tablespoon chopped basil leaves
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12 Lasagna noodles
16 oz. ricotta cheese
1 egg
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3/4 pound mozzarella cheese
In a Dutch oven or large sauce pan crumble up sausage and ground beef, onion, and garlic and over medium heat until browned. Add the chili flakes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and crushed tomatoes.
Season with salt, pepper and basil, Simmer for 2 hours.
Stir often.
When sauce is finished put in fridge until the next day or use right away.
Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 8 minutes and then lay them in a pan of water as you get ready to use them.
In a bowl mix the ricotta cheese and 1 egg with salt and pepper set aside.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
To assemble the lasagna put about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce in the bottom of a 9X13 pan. I sprayed my pan first with cooking spray, easy cleanup.
Lay 6 noodles over the meat sauce, spread on some of the ricotta cheese over the noodles and sprinkle on some mozzarella and 1/4 cup of the Parm.
Spoon more meat sauce over the cheese and repeat with the noodles and end with cheese on top.
Cover loosely with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Don't want the cheese to stick to the foil
Cook for 20 to 25 minutes and then take off the foil and cook uncovered for another 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is browned and bubbly. Let cool for at least 20 minutes it will cut into better squares.
If you use a little bit smaller pan you can lay 4 noodles across and get more layers.