Lasagna Part of Christmas Feast Too

‘Tis the season for really big plates of food, and lasagna is sure to have an extra large space on my plate. It’s perfect to share with the family during the cold weather and upcoming holidays. Here is a personal, Italian-family recipe that can make spirits bright.

Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 lb. ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 cups shredded cheddar
• grated Parmesan cheese (shaken)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 egg
• 1 lb. Italian sausage
• 1 jar of spaghetti sauce

Directions:

1. Cook noodles according to package directions.

2. While noodles are boiling, crumble, cook, and drain the sausage.

3. While sausage is browning, add parsley and egg to ricotta cheese, and stir until well mixed.

4. Lightly grease 9×13 baking pan, spoon enough spaghetti sauce to cover bottom:

• Start with a layer of noodles.
• Cover with sauce.
• Add 1/3 ricotta cheese mixture.
• Add 1/3 sausage and pepperoni.
• Add 1/3 mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
• Shake Parmesan cheese.
• REPEAT.

5. End with a layer of noodles, and cover lightly with spaghetti sauce and shaker Parmesan cheese.

6. Cover with foil and bake at 350˚F for approximately one hour until bubbling and steaming. If refrigerated, add 15 minutes to baking time.

7. Let pan sit 5-10 minutes before serving (lasagna will be easier to cut).

8. Enjoy!