So glad that you like to cook. You'll be healthier for it.
Will get you started with shopping for the ingredients, and then will follow with the recipe. It's a good idea to break down the work to
2 stages-- the sauce, then the compilation:
INGREDIENTS:
2 Cans tomatoes (28 oz.) 1 lb. Italian pork sausages 1 small Onion, chopped
l lb. box Lasagne pasta (prefer "fresh" pasta) 1/2 lb. Mozzarella
Tomato paste (6 oz. can) 2 lbs. Ricotta Red Wine - 6 oz.
SAUCE: 2 cans TOMATOES (San Marzano preferred) (crushed by hand) 1 small ONION, chopped
1 can TOMATO PASTE RED WINE - appox. 6 oz.
1 lb. ITALIAN PORK SAUSAGES (with fennel seeds) 1/2 tsp. SUGAR
SALT and PEPPER to taste
Spread OLIVE OIL in pan
Brown SAUSAGES. Remove from pan
Saute ONION in the pan - until translucent
Add WINE. Simmer a few minute to dispel alcohol.
Return sausages to pan. Add TOMATOES ,TOMATO PASTE, and SUGAR
Simmer for about 1 hour (consistency should be "runny" - easier to spread)
FILLING:
Combine (divided in half for each of 2 filling layers:
2 lbs. RICOTTA (Polly-O brand preferred)
2 EGGS - beaten
Grated CHEESE - approx. 2 tbsp.
SALT & PEPPER
1/2 lb. MOZZARELLA, SLICED THIN
COOKED SAUSAGES (from SAUCE) - SLICED THIN
PROCEDURE:
Spread sauce on the bottom of a rectangular baking pan approx. (15 X 10 X 2)
Line the pan with one layer of PASTA, overlapping edges slightly (N.B. Cool cooked pasta on clean dish towel)
Spread 1/2 of the RICOTTA MIXTURE over the pasta
Spread 1/2 of the SAUSAGES and 1/2 of the MOZZARELLA CHUNKS.
Sprinkle GRATED CHEESE.
Sprinkle SAUCE over this filling.
Spread Lasagne Pasta over this filling.
(Save the remaining 1/2 of these ingredients for the second layer.J)
Repeat for SECOND LAYER
Cover completely with Pasta.
Generously spread TOMATO SAUCE - with a ladle - over final layer. Also spread grated cheese. Your final product is: 3 layers of pasta, 2 fillings.
BAKE @ 350 DEGREES FOR ABOUT 1 HOUR. BAKE UNCOVERED FOR A CRISPY TOP - OR WITH ALUMINUM FOIL FOR SOFT PASTA TOP. BE GENEROUS WITH THE SAUCE.
BE SURE TO PHONE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
This is being typed hurriedly, but I think there are no omissions. (Couldn't find my recipe on the Computer)
LOVE,
GRAMMIE
(Are you entertaining some friends? Just add a salad and sliced Italian bread - and you'll be all set.
Buona Fortuna!!! Let me know how things work out)