How to Cook Lasagne

This is a traditional family recipe passed down to the next generation. Now it is here for everyone to enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound(0.45 Kilograms) sweet Italian sausage (without casing), cooked and crumbled
• 1 pound(0.45 Kilograms) ricotta or cottage cheese
• 1 pound(0.45 Kilograms)shredded Mozarella cheese
• 1 large can sliced mushrooms
• Lasagna noodles
• Pam or other non-stick cooking spray
• 2 small or 1 large jar spaghetti sauce ( Ragu's Super Mushroom is great, but use whatever is your favorite)
• Parmesan or Romano cheese

Steps

1. 1
   Boil enough noodles to make 4 layers in a 9x12 pan (I usually cook up about 2 boxes of 16.
2. 2
   Separate and set aside your noodles.
3. 3
   Mix together: sausage, ricotta (or cottage) cheese, Mozarella cheese and the mushrooms in a large bowl.
4. 4
   Divide this mixture into three parts.
5. 5
   Spray your pan with Pam or other nonstick cooking spray.
6. 6
   Layer your lasagne in this order:
   
    
   1. 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom
   2. Enough noodles to cover the bottom of the pan on top of that
   3. 1/3 of the sausage and cheese mixture
   4. Repeat layers 1-3 two more times (you should be out of the sausage and cheese mixture)
   5. Another 1/3 jar of sauce
   6. Yet another layer of noodles
   7. The last of the sauce
   8. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese
7. 7
   Cover with foil.
8. 8
   Cook for 40 min in a 350 degree oven.
9. 9
   Uncover and cook until the Parmesan just starts to brown, about another 5 minutes or so depending on your oven.
10. 10
    Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Noodle cooking tips:
  
  
  • Adding about a tablespoon or so of olive oil to the water while cooking will prevent the noodles from sticking.
  • Cooking until the noodles are "al dente" will ensure a better lasagne
  • After the noodles are done cooking, pour them in a strainer and quickly run cold (not hot!) water over them. This will prevent the noodles from cooking any further.
  • Separate the noodles carefully as soon as possible and place them on a serving tray or large plate with paper towels this will prevent them from sticking.
• Since this is such a basic lasagne, you may wish to add a few more ingredients. 2 small cans of sliced olives are good, as are sliced fresh tomatoes (add these after you have removed the foil otherwise you'll end up with a soggy lasagne).
• If you can get it, ricotta cheese is so much better for this than the cottage cheese.
• Alternatively, you may wish to use Romano or a Parmesan/Romano blend instead of the Parmesan. Shredded versions work just as well as the grated.
• Even though Mozzarella cheese comes pre-shredded, shredding your own will better insure the quality.

Warnings

• Do not include too many additions or you will mess up the cooking times.
• Be sure to cook the sausage thoroughly before adding it to the lasagne.
• Keep small children away from the stove!

Things You'll Need

• Large bowl
• Aluminum foil
• 9x12 pan