"What should I cook for dinner?" I am sure those who cook would understand the struggle of coming up with dinner ideas! I have decided to take a break on the decision making, and asked the boyfriend, "what do you want for dinner?" The answer for tonight is Lasagna!
Ingredients
1 1/2 Lbs ground beef (I used turkey this time #health attempt)
1 Lb Hot Italian Sausage
5 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
2 Lbs Pearl Tomato/ 2 Cans Whole Tomato
( Cans might be more convenient, but I prefer to use fresh vegetables whenever I can, and I found pearl tomatoes have a more intense tomato flavor, which is perfect for lasagna)
2 Cans (6 Ounces) Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Parsley. Minced and Divided
1/4 Cup Basil, Minced
3 Cups Ricotta Cheese/ Cottage Cheese (I personally prefer ricotta cheese)
2 Eggs
3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated and Divided
1 Lb Mozzarella Cheese, Sliced
10 Lasagna Noodles
Salt to taste
1. Boil a large pot of water for lasagna noodle.
2. While the water is boiling, in a large skillet, throw in ground beef, sausage and garlic.
3. Cook until browned, drain half the fat. (I used ground turkey, so I didn't drain the fat)
4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/4 Cup Parsley, 1/4 Basil and salt.
5. Stir to combine, and let simmer for 45 minutes.
6. While the meat is cooking, beat the eggs in a medium bowl.
7. Mix in the ricotta cheese, 1/2 Cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 Cup Parsley and a dash of salt. Set aside.
8. Add some salt in the boiling water (never oil! Oil will prevent the sauce getting into the pasta) and cook the lasagna noodle one by one if necessary according to the package's instructions.
9. Arrange 5 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of the pan. It is okay to overlap a little.
10. Spread half the cheese mixture on top of the noodle, then cover with a layer of mozzarella cheese.
11. Spread half of the meat on top of the mozzarella cheese.
12. Repeat one more time.
13. Sprinkle 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan on the top of the meat sauce.
14, Bake for 20 - 30 minutes at 350 F.
*Ignorance is bliss. This is the.... should I say.... pain of the cook? Since you know exactly what you put in the dish, and thus exactly how fattening the dish is...... time to go running!