There was a phase of my life (i can distinctly remember) that lasagna was my favorite food. It was like Christmas every time my mom would make it, and it was infuriating that it would disappear so fast-figures in a family with 8 kids-then I realized that my mom’s lasagna was simply the best, and that lasagna in general was NOT my favorite food.
Now that I make it in my own home, I continue to get comments (and compliments hehe) for it, and a pleasantly surprised reaction to some of the unique and different ingredients I put in it.
Today I’m sharing these tips with you so you too can pleasantly surprise all who enter your home 😀
::INGREDIENTS::
1 box oven ready lasagna noodles
1 regular jar Prego ‘Original’ pasta sauce
1 lb ground turkey sausage (or regular sausage if you like)
4 oz ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzerella cheese
2 cups grated Parmesan (divided)
10 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and rinsed)
2 cups fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup shopped yellow onion
2 eggs
1 cup water
::WHAT TO DO::
1—-first cook the sausage, chopped onion and fresh mushrooms with 2 tbls of olive oil or cooking spray. Add pasta sauce, mix, then add one cup of water and 1 cup of the grated Parmesan. Set aside
2—-In medium size bowl combine and mix together ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, rest of the grated Parmesan (1 cup), chopped spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
3—-Using a 9×13 pan pour a thin layer of pasta sauce mixture on bottom of pan. cover with lasagna noodles, laying them flat next to eachother (not on top of) until pan is covered (you may have to break some in half. For my pan I do 4 across verticle, and then break 1/4 off of one and lay horizontal at the top.) Then add a layer of white ricotta mixture on top of the noodles, then red sauce again, then sprinkle with some shredded mozzerela cheese. Repeat these steps until mixtures are gone. Top with more shredded cheese, and Parmesan to taste.
4—-cover with 2 sheets of foil and bake at 375 for 45-60 min.
***The green spinach adds a refreshing contrast to the heavy pasta and meat. The eggs for whatever reason make the whole thing taste better. And fresh mushrooms, and meat sauce just can’t be beat!
Hope you try and enjoy!!!
