Lasagna/Pic

[Roxy15]

I finally got around to making Olive Gardens lasagna recipe yesterday and it is the best lasagna I have ever made.  I did add chopped green pepper, 1 Package Jimmy Dean’s Hot Sausage, more Garlic and a package of Mild Italian Sausage that I cut in slices.  The added ingredients made it better.  I may add some sliced fresh mushrooms to it the next time I make it, other than that, I wouldn’t change a thing.  I baked it in a large glass baking dish with a cookie sheet under it to catch any drippings.  I baked it at 325 degrees for an hour but it could of been hotter so I will either bake it longer the next time I make it or bake it at a higher temperature.  

 

Below is the video from Olive Garden, recipe and pictures.

 

I used a stockpot for this.

 

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Large White Onion, Chopped
1 Whole Bulb Garlic, Chopped In Small Pieces
***I Used More Than The Recipe Calls For
1-(1-lb.)-Pkg. Mild Italian Sausage, Cut In Slices
1-(lb.)-Pkg. Jimmy Dean Hot Sausage
1-(1.05- lbs.)-Lean Hamburger
1 Large Green Pepper, Chopped
2-(28-oz.)-Cans Crushed Tomatoes
1/4 Tsp. Dry Oregano
1/4 Tsp. Dry Basil
Garlic Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste

 

Heat up a stockpot or large pan until medium hot.

 

Add Olive Oil, onion and chopped garlic.

Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.

Add Italian Sausage, Jimmy Deans Hot Sausage and hamburger; break up pieces while cooking.

 

When the meat is done, drain grease 

Reduce heat to simmer and add 2-(28-oz.)-cans crushed tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dry basil, garlic salt and ground black pepper, to taste and chopped green pepper. to taste 

Simmer, stirring occasionally for about 20 minutes.

 

While the meat sauce is simmering, make the cheese sauce.

 

In a large mixing bowl, add 1-(2-lb.)-container whole milk Ricotta Cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, 1/2 cup Romano Cheese, grated, 1 T. fresh parsley, chopped, 1 T. fresh oregano, chopped, 1 egg, garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; mix well

 

Bring a pot of water to a boil; add 1 T. Olive Oil and a dash of salt.

 

Add lasagna noodles and cook according to pkg. directions.

 

When the noodles are done, drain and lay them flat on a piece of aluminum foil to keep their shape.

 

Spray a lasagna pan or baking dish with Pam.

 

Cover the bottom of the pan with meat sauce; spread it evenly.

 

Lay 3 lasagna noodles on top of the meat sauce.  

 

Spread cheese sauce over the noodles, just to cover-not all of it!  Spread evenly.

Repeat layers exactly with meat sauce, 3 lasagna noodles and cheese sauce.

End with a last layer of 3 lasagna noodles sand a layer of meat sauce.   No Cheese Sauce!

 

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top.  That will get it nice and brown/crusty and bubbly; spread evenly.

 

Coat a sheet of aluminum foil with Pam to prevent cheese from sticking.

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

 

Bake until heated through, longer than an hour.  Or bake at a higher temperature.

 

When serving, sprinkle Parmesan Cheese on top.

 

***I let it rest for awhile before cutting.

Served it with a salad and cheese bread.