Cindis Lasagna Recipes

Steps:

• For Domenica's sauce: Lightly saute the garlic and chili flakes in the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the tomatoes and salt and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.
• For the three-cheese filling: Mix together ricotta, goat cheese, Parmesan, basil, mint, nutmeg and some salt and pepper in a bowl.
• For the pasta: Place the yolks in the base of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and turn on low speed. Start slowly adding flour. As the dough starts to come together, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Remove the dough and knead until smooth and not sticky. Let rest for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Cut dough into four quarters. Roll the quarters through a pasta machine, starting with the widest opening, taking it through each opening once or twice and finishing with the smallest opening. (You should be able to see through the finished pasta sheets.)
• Cut sheets into pieces that will fit in a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
• Boil a pot of water and cook pasta sheets for about 1 minute, then remove them and put them in ice water to stop the cooking. Remove the sheets and lay out on clean kitchen towels or napkins.
• For the thyme bechamel: Heat the butter and flour in a saucepan over medium heat and stir together for a minute. Add the milk, thyme and some salt and pepper and cook until mixture starts to thicken. Turn off heat and set aside.
• To assemble: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat a large baking dish with olive oil. Lay a sheet of pasta in the bottom and spread with a thin layer of bechamel and cheese filling. Spread with a rubber spatula or large metal spoon. Add a layer of pasta, then spread a layer of tomato sauce on that.
• Repeat this assembly until the pasta is all layered. Finish the top layer with tomato sauce and bechamel and sprinkle with Parmesan and basil. Cover with foil and bake for 24 to 30 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bechamel sauce:
• In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
• In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook until starting to brown, stirring occasionally, 3-4 minutes.
• Add the beef, salt, and pepper. Cook until all of the moisture has evaporated and the meat is starting to brown on the edges, breaking the meat up as you stir, 10-12 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste, then reduce the heat to medium and bring the sauce to a simmer. Cook it down until the mixture becomes thick, about 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, basil, egg, and Parmesan. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
• Grease a large oven-safe metal bowl with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, then lay about 25 lasagna noodles along the sides and bottom of the bowl, fanning them out in an overlapping pattern. The ends of the noodles should hang over the sides of the bowl.
• Slice the remaining lasagna noodles in half crosswise. These will serve as the layers between the meat and the cheese mixtures.
• Sprinkle half of the mozzarella into the bottom of the bowl on top of the noodles. This will help bind the noodles together when cooked. Spread half of the meat mixture evenly over the mozzarella, then lay half of the cut noodles over the sauce.
• Spread all of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then layer with the rest of the noodles, then the rest of the mozzarella, and the rest of the meat sauce.
• Fold the edges of the lasagna noodles hanging over the sides of the bowl back towards the center, creating another overlapping pattern.
• Cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes, until cooked through.
• Meanwhile, make the béchamel: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and cook, whisking continuously, for about 2 minutes until a paste forms.
• Add the hot milk and continue to whisk as the sauce thickens and comes to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and add the Parmesan. Reduce the heat to low, and cook, still whisking, for 2-3 minutes more.
• Invert the lasagna dome onto a cutting board.
• Pour the béchamel sauce over the dome and top with basil.
• Slice the dome, then top with more Parmesan and basil, if desired.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef until brown. Drain off all fat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar. Stir until combined and cook over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1 hour.
• While sauce is simmering, blend cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg until smooth. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread 1 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover sauce with 3 noodles. Cover noodles with 1/3 of the remaining sauce. Top with 1/2 of the mozzarella. Place another layer of noodles and one of sauce over the mozzarella; top that with the cottage cheese mixture. Top with remaining 3 noodles and remaining sauce.
• Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top and bake 15 minutes more, until golden and bubbly.

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain off fat.
• Add the salt, the Mrs. Dash Table Blend Seasoning, black pepper, the pasta sauce, and the tomato paste to the skillet. Cook until heated through.
• In a medium-size bowl mix together, the cottage cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, and the 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese. (Cheese mixture will be thick).
• Grease the inside of a 6-quart rectangular slow-cooker.
• Spoon 1/4 of the meat sauce in the bottom of the slow-cooker.
• Arrange 3 (uncooked) lasagna noodles over the meat sauce (over lapping the noodles just a bit).
• Spoon 1/3 of the cheese mixture, over the uncooked lasagna noodles.
• Repeat layers twice, with the meat sauce, the noodles, and the cheese mixture.
• Top with the remaining meat sauce.
• Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
• Cover, and cook on low setting (NO. 3) for 4 hours.

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles (with vegetable oil), according to pkg. directions.
• Brown the ground beef and onions (seasoned with the salt and pepper). Drain off any excess fat.
• Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, tomato soup, sugar, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic salt, and 1/2 teaspoons salt. Stir, and cook until heated through.
• Spray the inside of a 13x9x2-inch baking pan, with a non-stick vegetable cooking spray.
• Lay 4 of the cooked lasagna noodles, inside the pan (overlapping each noodle just a bit).
• Add 1/3 of the meat sauce over the noodles.
• Sprinkle on 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Cover with 9 slices of the Kraft Cheese.
• Repeat layering with the noodles, meat sauce and both cheeses.
• On top of the last layer, top the meat sauce with grated parmesan cheese. (You may add more grated parmesan cheese on top. Desired amount is up to you.).
• Cover baking pan with a lid, or aluminum foil.
• Bake 45 - 50 minutes, in a 350 degree oven.
• Let the lasagna sit on top of stove for 10-15 minutes, before removing lid or foil, and slicing the lasagna.

Steps:

• Make Crespelle Batter:.
• Start with the crespelle batter by mixing together flour and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk four eggs plus milk.
• Whisk the eggs into the flour mixture, and beat until you smooth and bubbly.
• Melt butter in microwave.
• Whisk butter into the batter.
• Chill in the fridge for one hour while you make the sauce.
• Make Your Sauce:.
• In a very large sauce pot, saute the onions, garlic, and peppers in the 2 tbs of olive oil.
• As they start cooking, add sugar and balsamic. (Red wine can be used if you prefer, but you may need to decrease the sugar a bit unless you like really sweet sauce.).
• Once the liquid evaporates and the veggies are softened, add the meats, and cook until browned. Be careful not to overcook, or they will be dry in your sauce!
• Add your cans of sauce, crushed tomatoes, and paste.
• Add your parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.
• Simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally. Keep a very close eye out that the bottom doesn't start burning, as the sweeter the sauce, the easier it burns! Don't be afraid to taste as it simmers, and add more sugar, salt, pepper, or crushed red pepper if necessary. Remember to add only a little at a time, and then allow time for the flavors to grow before tasting and adding more!
• NOTE: This is enough sauce for TWO lasagna's, so reserve half and refrigerate or freeze when done.
• Cook Crespelles:.
• While the sauce simmers, finish making your crespelles.
• Heat a 10 inch non-stick skillet on medium high heat.
• Put a small amount of oil in the bottom of the pan and rub it inches.
• Add 1/4 cup of batter and swirl around the bottom of the pan so it covers making a 10 inch pancake.
• Loosen sides with spatula.
• When the top appears bubbled and dry, go ahead and flip. Crespelle should be very lightly browned on bottom.
• Give another minute or two on this side until brown spots appear on bottom.
• Stack in a plate separated by paper towels so they don't stick.
• I generally add a dab more oil between every two or three crespelle's.
• Should make about 12 crespelle's, with maybe one or two left over for the kids to snack on. (They LOVE these things plain!).
• Preheat your oven to 375.
• Make your filling:.
• Beat two eggs into the ricotta.
• Add 1/2 cup of parmesan and 1 1/2 cups mozzarella. (Note, if you use lasagna noodles in place of the crespelle, use a bit more cheese for 'body'.).
• To make the lasagna:.
• Spray the bottom of a lasagna pan with Pam.
• Place two crespelle's on the bottom of the pan, and tear parts of another one to fill in the two gaps on the side if necessary.
• Add about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of sauce to LIGHTLY cover the crespelle with sauce.
• Add one third of the cheese filling a teaspoon at a time, spreading over the sauce.
• Add another layer of crespelle, and repeat the sauce and cheese layers.
• Do this one more time, and then top with crespelle, a little more sauce, and sprinkle with the 1/4 cup parmesan and 1/2 cup mozarella.
• Bake at 375 for approximately 30-40 minutes until cheese is melted and sauce is bubbly.
• Let the lasagna stand for 15-20 minutes to 'firm up'.
• Can be frozen as well.