Kittencals Easy Lasagna Recipes

KITTENCAL'S FOUR CHEESE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Prepare this sauce a day ahead.
• For the MEAT SAUCE; in a large heavy pot cook the sausage meat with crushed chili flakes and onion until the meat is lightly browned breaking up the meat while cooking; drain any fat from the sausage meat.
• Add in garlic, basil and oregano; cook stirring for about 3 minutes.
• Add in tomato paste; cook stirring with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.
• Add in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, 1 tablespoon salt, black pepper and 1 tablespoon sugar; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
• Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours stirring occasionally and adjusting the salt and sugar to taste.
• Cool sauce to room temperature and refrigerate overnight or up to 5 days.
• For the CHEESE FILLING; heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add in onion with dried Italian seasoning and saute until just lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes (adding in the fresh garlic after the last 2 minutes (do not brown the garlic).
• To the bowl add in ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, soft cream cheese, eggs, seasoned salt and black pepper; mix well to combine (at this point you may cover and refrigerate for 24 hours).
• In a large pot of boiling salted water cook the lasagna noodles until they are just al dente (do not over cook the noodles as they will cook more in the oven, cooking time for the noodles should be a little less time than stated on the box).
• Carefully remove the noodles then place into a large bowl of very cold water, shake off any excess water before layering in the dish.
• Grease a large pan with high sides or a lasagna pan.
• TO ASSEMBLE; spread about 2-1/2 to 3 cups meat sauce evenly to cover the bottom of the pan (I just use 2 ladles full it will depend on the size pan that you use).
• Over the meat sauce, going lengthwise down the dish arrange 6 noodles overlapping slightly, then place 2 noodles at the end of the dish going the other way cutting off one end to fit in the dish.
• Spread HALF of the ricotta mixture over the noodles (the ricotta does not have to cover completely, it will depend on how large your pan is).
• Top the ricotta with a THIRD of the mozzarella slices, then spoon about 3 cups sauce over the slices.
• Repeat the layers using 8 noodles, remaining HALF of ricotta mixture, 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese slices and 3 cups sauce on the top of the cheese slices (do not add on the remaining mozzarella cheese until the end of baking).
• If your pan is very full then I advise to place onto a large baking sheet to catch any spills.
• Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 1-1/2 hours or until the ricotta cheese mixture is set and firm and the lasagna is bubbling hot.
• Remove from oven and top with remaining mozzarella slices then 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese; return to oven and bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly (about 8 minutes).
• For easier slicing allow the lasagna to sit for about at 30 minutes even more.

KITTENCAL'S EASY LASAGNA

Steps:

• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
• In a skillet cook the ground beef with onion until no longer pink; drain fat.
• Add in garlic (if using) and continue to cook until the meat is slightly browned (about 8 minutes).
• Add in pasta sauce; bring to a simmer over medium heat stirring.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 40-45 minutes or even a little longer stirring occasionally, and seasoning with salt and pepper towards the end of cooking time (if you are making ahead cool to room temperature cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days, heat the sauce on top of the stove or in the microwave until hot before using for the lasagna).
• Meanwhile in a bowl mix all the filling ingredients together until well combined (taste the mixture and if so desired you may add in more seasoned salt and black pepper to suit taste).
• TO ASSEMBLE; spread 1/3 meat sauce into the bottom of the dish, then place 3 uncooked noodles lengthwise on the sauce (if desired you may use another noodle at the end of the dish facing across but you will need to snap off a bit of the end to fit in the dish).
• Dollup then spread half the ricotta cheese mixture on top of the noodles leaving about 1-inch space from the edge of the dish (the cheese mixture does not have to cover the noodles completely).
• Repeat with 3 noodles, remaining cheese mixture, then 1/3 of the meat sauce.
• Top with remaining 3 noodles then remaining 1/3 meat sauce.
• Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top then 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Using a small spoon drizzle the water all around the edges of the pan at the same time slightly pushing the edges of the lasagna inwards to make room for the water.
• Place onto a baking sheet to prevent any spills (your pan will be very full).
• Set oven to 350 degrees F (oven rack set to bottom position).
• Cover tightly with a double layer of foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• Uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Allow to stand for 20 minutes before serving.

EASY LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the egg, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, cottage cheese, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese; set aside.
• In a large skillet, brown the beef, onion, and garlic together until the beef is done; drain excess grease.
• Add water and all but 1 cup of spaghetti sauce to beef.
• Spread reserved spaghetti sauce into the bottom of a greased 13x9 inch pan.
• Layer 5 to 6 lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping or breaking to fit.
• Spread half the cheese mixture over the noodles.
• Spoon a third of the beef mixture over the cheese layer.
• Repeat layers once.
• Add one more layer of 5 to 6 noodles and spoon remaining third of beef mixture over the top.
• Cover and bake 50 minutes.
• Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

KITTENCAL'S MEATBALL LASAGNA

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish (or a similar size pan with high sides).
• In a large bowl combine all filling ingredients until well blended (you may add in some salt to taste if desired, I use about 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt).
• Spread about 1 to 1-1/4 cups pasta sauce in the bottom of the baking dish.
• Layer 4 cooked noodles lengthwise in the dish over the sauce.
• Place the tiny cooked meatballs over the sauce.
• Spoon about 3 cups pasta sauce over the meatballs, then sprinkle with about 1 cup mozzarella cheese (can use more cheese if desired).
• Arrange another 4 noodles over the top of the mozzarella cheese, then using your hands push the noodles down slightly .
• Spread the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
• Top with another 4 noodles, then remaining pasta sauce (make certain to cover the noodles completely with the sauce).
• Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any spills (your pan will be VERY full).
• Bake covered for about 1 hour, or until hot and bubbly (the lasagna will be completely cooked when a knife inserted into the middle comes out very hot).
• Top with 1 cup mozzarella cheese (or more) then about 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Return to oven and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes or just to melt the cheese.
• Allow to stand for 15 or more minutes before slicing.

KITTENCAL'S 15 MINUTE PARMESAN PASTA

Steps:

• Place the cooked pasta in a bowl; keep warm (do not rinse pasta).
• In a small skillet saute the garlic in olive oil until golden and tender (try not to burn the garlic) then pour the oil with the garlic over the cooked pasta.
• Season with salt and lots of black pepper.
• Add in the Parmesan cheese; toss to coat then serve immediately.
• Delicious!