Spinach Lasagna

A few weeks ago I had abdominal surgery (everything is fine).  During my recovery, my work family supported me so much by bringing food, helping me watch Trevor, and continuously checking on me.  The next few recipes will feature some of the great food that they brought me.  Today's recipe comes from Shelly - Spinach Lasagna!

I remember the first time I ate this lasagna - I loved it!  Shelly's mom brought a pan of this lasagna to the office.   I have to admit that I am not a fan of spinach, but this lasagna is sooooo delicious.  It is super easy to make as well.



Here are the ingredients:



2 10 ounce packages of frozen spinach, defrost and wring out water
1/4 cup milk
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 14 ounce ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon garlic salt
3 eggs
1 box lasagna noodles, cooked al dente


Mix all ingredients together and layer with the lasagna noodles.  Layer sauce between each layer and on top.


Sauce:

1 stick butter
3 cups heavy cream
2 cups parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons garlic salt


Melt butter in sauce pan and add cream, parmesan and garlic salt.  Pour over noodles, in between each layer and on top.


Bake the lasagna at 350  degrees for 40 minutes.

Shelly claims to be Italian, but she eats at Olive Garden!  Any true Italian would not step in the front door (except for the salad and breadsticks)!  Italian or not, this recipe is a keeper, just like Shelly!  She is a blessing in my life - a caring, loving friend who is humble and serves others before herself.  I am blessed to have her in my life!

Mangia!

Lasagna

This recipe is listed on Pamela's Heavenly Treat

One of my favorite pasta dishes is LASAGNA!  It has a tangy, chewy, goodness that can't be surpassed.  I love plating the lasagna and watching the cheese stretch over to the plate.  That is yummy goodness!

This recipe comes from my mom.  Mom is a great cook and I am so blessed to have her in my life.  She is a strong woman and has raised her girls to be strong and able to withstand anything.  With my father's passing, my mom handled herself with dignity and grace.  I can only hope to be that strong in life.

Mom, Me, Tonette, Karrie and Julia

Isn't she beautiful?

Here are the ingredients for the lasagna:

Marinara Sauce

Cottage Cheese - Large Container

Ricotta Cheese - 2 large containers

Parmesan Cheese - 2 cups

4 eggs

Salt

Pepper

Parsley - 3 tablespoons

Ground Beef /Ground Sausage - 1 pound each

Lasagna Noodles
Mozzarella Cheese - shredded

Start with a basic tomato sauce.  Here is a link to my meat sauce recipe.  Use that but omit the meat.

http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2012/07/meat-sauce.html

Next, brown your meat.  I like to use a combination of ground beef and ground Italian sausage.  When the meat is brown, drain the fat.

In the meantime, assemble the cheese mixture.  Mix together in large bowl:  Cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and parsley. 

OK - time for you to make a decision.  Do you want to take the easy way out?  If you want to take the easy way out, you can buy no boil noodles.  These are great and taste just fine.  If you want thicker noodles which taste better, then start up a large pot of water and boil the noodles to al dente.  Of course if you are REALLY wanting to do it right, go ahead and make your own pasta dough!

http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2012/08/homemade-ravioli.html

Once all of your ingredients are prepared, it is a matter of setting up an assembly line.  Start by putting a little sauce in the bottom of your pan and put a layer of noodles on that.

Then, layer your meat, cheese mixture, and shredded mozzarella.

Then put another layer of noodles on top of that.  Ladle some more sauce and start the process over again.  When you near the top of the pan, put a final layer of noodles and ladle some more sauce on the top.

Cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  After 45 minutes, remove the foil and put shredded cheese on the top.  Put it back in the oven until the cheese melts.

Mangia!  This recipe is featured on Totally Tasty Tuesdays!