Layers of Love: A Comforting Classic You'll Crave

Layers of Love: A Comforting Classic You'll Crave

There are a number of great cooks in my family.  My recipes are a collection of some of their best culinary creations.  

I remember asking one of my older cousin's what was her secret to making EVERYTHING take so good.  She proudly responded, "I pray over my food and cook it with love." Since that day, that's what I try to do.

We've all not felt like cooking at one time or another and slapped something together and it came out, well, edible.  But there is nothing like cooking with love.

Searching online will give you many variations of a recipe using similar ingredients and you don't know which to choose, what you can substitute and most importantly which one will satisfy your taste buds.  Try this recipe the next time you make lasagna, it's definitely a crowd pleaser. 

You can substitute ground turkey products for ground beef and Italian sausage (you can by turkey Italian sausage too) or you can even use sauteed spinach, mushroom and onion in place of meat.  You can substitute diced tomatoes with stewed tomatoes; ricotta cheese with cottage cheese; colby jack cheese with mild cheddar, gruyere or use all mozarella. 

Here is your shopping list...

Meat Sauce Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, remove casing
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) jar of your favorite pasta sauce (cheat code)
  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cheese Mixture Ingredients:

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning

Other Ingredients:

  • 9-12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups shredded colby jack
  • Fresh parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven: 375°F 
  2. Cook the meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned. Remember to take the Italian sausage out of the casings and crumble in smaller pieces.  Drain excess fat if needed. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3–4 minutes.
  3. Make the sauce: Stir together preferred pasta sauce, diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Prepare cheese mixture: In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, Italian seasoning and black pepper, until well combined.
  5. Layer to assemble lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, just enough to sauce the pan.  Then add layers...
    • 3–4 lasagna noodles
    • 1/3 of the ricotta mixture
    • 1/3 of the meat sauce
    • 1/3 of the shredded cheeses 
      Repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce and a generous sprinkle of cheese on top.
  6. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
  7. Rest and serve: Let lasagna sit for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parmasan, if you would like.

Look out for more tasty recipes shared right here in my blog and in my customized gift boxes.

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