Tag: #lasagna

Roasted Pan Lasagna

A few years ago, before my retirement. I met a elderly Italian woman at work, who became a weekly customer. I really enjoyed seeing her every week, we’d exchange conversation about food, daily life, politics, and jokes. One day during her visit she casually asked, “what’s for dinner?” I told her, “thinking of making lasagna.” Her eyes widened, she told me she makes her “lasagna in a roasted pan.” Then my eyes widened. She said she added everything but the kitchen table in her lasagna. She said by the time the lasagna was ready to be put in the oven, she needed her son to carry it to the oven, because it was so heavy. I remember her saying, she added sweet Italian sausages to the sauce. For once, I actually never thought of doing that. And, my OCD had me thinking, that I know I make the best tasting lasagna this side of the east coast, besides I’ve been making lasagna since I was 17 years old. But, I told her I would try that. However, timed passed, and I didn’t see her as much. But, that’s how life goes.

I’ve made lasagna since, but not the way that Italian Grandma made, until now. First of all, I didn’t own a roasting pan, thank you Amazon! Order one for the holidays for the turkey on thanksgiving. I remember wanting to make something different for Christmas. So I thought of the lasagna. I think I would of made her proud!

Tools

Roasting pan

Large pot

Ingredients

Chop meat (1 lg pack)

Sweet Italian sausages (2packs)

Onions

Bell peppers (all colors) at least 3 different

Cilantro

Tomato sauce (2 1/2 jars of any tomato sauce you like)

Lasagna pasta (1 and a half boxes)

Ricotta (lg container)

Mozzarella (2 packs)

Dry ingredients

Garlic powder

Onion powder

Adobo

Sazon

1/2 cup of sugar to break bitterness of tomato sauce

How to make

Brown sausage and chop meat in separate pans, with a little canola oil. Once cooked, cut or slice sausages about an inch. Add everything together in a pot. Add sauce, peppers, onions, and all dry ingredients.

As it braises, keep tasting a long the way, to make sure flavors are on point.

Cook pasta according to box instructions. Please don’t forget to add some salt to boiling water!

Once sauce is done, and pasta is cooled. Start layering.

* Check for demo in lower paragraphs.

* Layering

Bake for 45 minutes.

I will definitely make this lasagna again. My family loved it! It gave me some joy, passing on a tradition.

Healthy & Hearty Winter/A Tasty, Healthy Lasagna

Low carb lasagna

So, I’ve be doing a 30 day challenge, and on the list of can’t have is: No potato chips, potatoes, ice cream, fried foods, fast food, chocolate, candy, donuts, juice or soda. Needless to say, I’ve had some great days, and some really weak days. I had to think about this for a moment, because I realized the foods I make are very carb and fried influenced. So I came up with a dish that is savory, low carb, but delicious.

Although my healthy lasagna has two types of delicious cheeses. I added less than an ounce to a serving.

Ingredients:

1 Eggplant

3/4 ounces Gruyere cheese (shredded)

3/4 ounces Gouda cheese (shredded)

Yields 6 (8 ounce) ramekins

Ingredients for bolognese:

Chop meat (80% lean)

Half a red onion (medium dice)

2/3 garlic (small dice)

1 jalapeño (small dice) clean out seeds, but leave a little white on the vein for some spice)

Basil (5 to 6 leaves)

Parsley (small dice) (save some for garnish)

Cilantro (small dice)

1 Jar of tomato sauce (go for it, if you want to make your own)

Adobo seasoning or salt & pepper to taste

2 packs of equal or Splenda or 2 Tbsp of sugar (I went for the sugar substitute)

How to make:

Slice the eggplant in medium cut slices, put to the side

In a pot, cook your chop meat all the way through.

Add the cut herbs, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and seasonings

Add tomato sauce

Let simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Taste often to know if you need to add more ingredients.

Prepare to layer the ramekins with the bolognese sauce first, then layer on a slice of the eggplant, then the shredded cheeses, then the sauce. Repeat process, however, you’ll only be able to do about two layers.

After ramekins are filled, place them on a sheet tray and put in the oven on 325 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.

Once they’re done, sprinkle some leftover parsley and serve. 😁

I enjoyed making this dish. I hope you do too!