This year I wanted to make something a little more non-traditional for Christmas dinner, so instead of a ham or turkey or roast, I made lasagna. My mom makes the BEST lasagna, so I followed her recipe. This can of course be modified for meat or vegetarian, I did half and half.
9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
1 15oz tub of ricotta cheese
16 oz mozzarella cheese, grated - 3 different uses
1/4 c parmesan
2 T chopped herbs, like parsley, basil, or cilantro (more if you like)
1 t (onion) salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 32oz jar spaghetti sauce
1 6oz can tomato sauce
1 lb. ground beef OR cut up, thin sliced vegetables, like eggplant or asparagus OR half and half
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix the ricotta, half the mozzarella, parmesan, herbs, salt and garlic in a large bowl. Set aside.
3. Cover the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking pan with tomato sauce.
4. Lay 3 noodles on top, spread half the cheese mixture on top, lay meat or vegetables on top, then pour 1/3 of the spaghetti sauce over it.
5. Repeat step 4 for another layer.
6. Lay 3 noodles on top and push down a bit and pour the rest of the sauce over it and top with half of the remaining mozzarella cheese.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 35minutes.
8. Remove foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese over it, bake another 10minutes, then turn oven off and let lasagna sit for 10 minutes. It thickens as it sits. Right out of the oven it is VERY hot.
