Monday, March 28, 2011

Lasagna

This recipe fills two large baking dishes, enough for a crowd.

For the beef marinara:
2 pounds very lean ground beef
2 T. olive oil
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 tsp. sea salt
2 cups tomato sauce
1 quart of diced tomatoes
4 T. oregano
1 tsp. marjoram
1 cup water

Mix together the following ingredients for the cheese filling:
1 pound ricotta
4 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp.  dried savory
1/2 tsp. dried parsley

Noodles:
1 1/2  pounds lasagna noodles, cooked to just pliable

Sprinkle the tops with:
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1 tsp. blended Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In the olive oil gently brown the meat and crumble as it cooks. Add the garlic and salt and cook over low heat until garlic is tender. Add tomato sauce and oregano and bring to a simmer. Continue simmering being careful not to boil the sauce while you cook the lasagna and mix the cheese filling.

Oil the baking dishes, then layer the ingredients. Fill each dish to 1/2" from the top with added water. Bake at 350 degrees F. for 40 minutes or until cheese begins to brown.

Note: Because of dietary restrictions, I do not use onion or peppers in this recipe but love the flavor, texture and color they add. If you can use them, I suggest adding 1/2 finely chopped onion and 1 cup chopped green pepper, more or less to suit your taste,  when you add the garlic.

1 comment:

  1. As far as dietary restrictions, I've discovered I can do dehydrated onion. If Papa Pauley can take it, go for it :)

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