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Christmas Lasagna Recipe

Print Recipe
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 483

Equipment

  • 9x2 square baking dish
  • Large sized pot
  • Medium sized pot
  • Medium sized frying pan
  • Cookie sheet with raised sides (capable of holding water)

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 oz 9 sheets of lasagna noodles (it’s essential NOT to use oven ready)
  • 6 oz shredded mozzarella
  • green food coloring
  • 1 red bell pepper

For Red Sauce:

  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 2 cloves of garlic can also use 4 tbsp refrigerated minced garlic
  • 1/4 medium yellow onion
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 12 oz one can of tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp Parsley
  • 1 1/2 tbsp basil
  • 3/4 tbsp oregano or 3 tbsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh ground pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sugar

Ricotta mixture:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 3/4 cups ricotta
  • 1/3 cup parmesan
  • 1 tbsp Parsley

Instructions

Noodles Sheets:

  • Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot over medium heat.
  • Gently place 4.5 ounces of noodle sheets into the boiling water upright.
  • After 2-3 minutes poke the now tender noodles down into the boiling water.
  • Boil for 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally, then strain.

Dying the Noodles Green:

  • Set out the cookie sheet (with raised sides) on a flat surface. Pour ¼ cup of water onto the sheet and add 4-5 drops of green food coloring. Lightly stir to disperse color.
  • Lay out 3 noodle sheets into the color mixture.
  • Wait approximately 5 minutes, then turn noodle sheets over to their opposite side. Let soak for another 5 minutes.
  • Set the dyed group of noodles aside in a bowl, repeat the process in groups of 3 with the remaining noodles.

For the red sauce:

  • Use 1 tbsp of olive oil to coat the bottom of a medium pot and put on low heat.
  • Peel the 2 cloves of garlic, lying your knife flat - use it to crush each individual clove, then mince to fine pieces. Follow by dicing ¼ of a yellow onion (avoid cutting into the center to rein in the waterworks!) and slicing the bell pepper into long pieces.
  • Toss garlic, onion, and bell pepper into the pot and turn the stove up to a medium heat.
  • Lightly saute garlic and onion mixture for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Combine the tomato paste, parsley, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper into the pot and reduce heat to low. If working with a gas stove, remove from heat altogether.
  • Bring a frying pan to medium/high heat to brown your ground beef. This will take approximately 10-15 minutes. Spend this time breaking down the beef into small chunks with your spatula.
  • Combine ground beef to red sauce mixture.

Ricotta Mixture:

  • Combine whole egg, ricotta, parmesan, and parsley in a medium sized bowl. Set mixture aside.

Layering:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Coat the bottom of a 2 inch high by 9 inch square baking dish in the red sauce mixture.
  • Follow with a layer of 3 noodle sheets bunched up slightly to fit the pan. This is for really getting that wavy texture and helping solidify your lasagna.
  • Top the noodle sheets with the ricotta mixture and sprinkle 2 cups of mozzarella to create the cheese layer.
  • Repeat this layering process 2 more times.
  • Slice remaining bell pepper into long pieces and lay across the top of your lasagna in any design you like.
  • Cook at 375 degrees for 20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Using a pre-made store bought red sauce are fine as well, just mix in your ground beef and bell pepper!

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 1009mg | Potassium: 951mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2906IU | Vitamin C: 66mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 4mg