Lazy Day Lasagna

Lazy Day Lasagna

Today was a snow day for me, so I thought why not do a lasagna?  This recipe is from Ina Garten aka The Barefoot Contessa.  I did a slight variation, but if you want to follow her recipe you can find it on the Food Network.  Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Go ahead and get a large pot of water boiling for your noodles. You will need: 1.5 lbs of spicy italian turkey sausage (you may have to go to a specialty store for the sausage, I purchased mine from Whole Foods), PLEASE REMOVE THE CASING.  You could also substitute italian sausage.  You will also need: 2 tbs olive  oil, 1 lg yellow onion chopped, 4 cloves of garlic minced, 1/2 c flat leaf parsley chopped, 1 c fresh basil chopped, 1 28 oz can of whole tomatoes, if you can try to use San Marzano - they are soooo good, (go ahead and pour these into a med size bowl and crush by hand), 1 8oz can tomato paste, 1 egg (slightly beaten), 1Lb fresh mozzarella cheese (if you can't find the fresh mozzarella use shredded mozzarella found in the dairy case), 16oz container ricotta, 4 oz  of herbed or plain goat cheese, 1.5 c grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 box of lasagna (cooked for 2-3 minutes less than what the box directions suggest, drain and set aside) and always S&P.  Add your olive oil to a 12-14" skillet, heat over med-low heat, add your onion and saute until translucent, add garlic and continue to saute for a minute or so.  Add your sausage in pieces and break it up with a fork while it's cooking, and cook about 10 minutes.  Add your crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil and 1/2 of your parsley.  At this point I would taste it and you decide if it needs S&P,  I think the tomatoes and the tomato paste add plenty of salt on their own.  Ok, Ina says cook for 20 minutes until thick, but mine was already really thick, so I only cooked for about 10 minutes.  While your that's cooking, lets work on the cheese mixture.  In med bowl add your ricotta, egg, 1 c parmesan, goat cheese and remaining parsley.  Mix by hand or use a spatula, fork or spoon then set aside.  Next thinly slice your mozzarella and set aside.  Take a 12x9" pan, mine is 9x13 (it seems that lasagna noodles are designed for the 12x9"pan).  Anyway, ladle 1/3 of the sauce mix into bottom of pan, next layer noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella and sauce, then repeat with noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, sauce and sprinkle remaining parmesan over top.  Slide in your oven and bake for 30 minutes until bubbly.  Voila!  Serve with a nice green salad.  I think Will is gonna like this one. BTW, don't forget to feed the fish!