Lasagna

Ok, so this isn't a BBQ item, but I started in the kitchen, so I've got a lot to offer! Here's a great take on lasagna (my favorite food of all time...I'm a human Garfield!).

There are so many ways to make it, but this is a simple recipe that anyone can do. Start by gathering all your ingredients. You'll need the following:

1 lb package lasagna noodles
1 26 oz can/jar of your favorite pasta sauce (I used Hunt's Garlic & Herb)
2 lbs ground meat (I used a grocery store mix: 1/2 lb pork, 1/2 lb veal, 1 lb beef)
4 plum tomatoes, chopped
2 cups shredded mozzarella
16 oz Ricotta Cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 eggs
3 T Italian seasoning
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1 t salt

To start off, prepare the lasagna noodles as directed on the box and set aside.
Crumble ground meat into a large bowl. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Mix together gently, then brown and drain fat.

Put seasoned meat into a saucepan and add pasta sauce. Place on medium heat and combine thoroughly.

Next add the fresh cut tomatoes and combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering begin combining cheeses in a large bowl, withholding 1/2 cup mozzarella. As a side note, you can always add more cheese (which I usually do). Now, add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly, but gently.

Go ahead and get the oven started...you'll want it about 350. Grab a 13x9x2 in pan (I love me some Pyrex!) and spoon a nice helping of meat sauce over the bottom of the pan. Grab the noodles you set aside earlier and place a layer on top of the meat sauce. Next, cover that with a layer of your cheese n' egg mixture.

There are a few ways you can spread the cheese mixture over your noodles (i.e. spooning it, rubber scraper/spatula smearing or pastry bagging). Each has it's pros & cons, so use the one you like best.


Repeat the sauce, noodles, cheese process until you have several complete layers. Top off with a layer of noodles and sauce. Sprinkle that with the remaining mozzarella and additional Parmesan, if desired.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake in over for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes, serve and enjoy! mmmm...soo good!