Cookie sheet with raised sides (capable of holding water)
Ingredients
4 1/2oz9 sheets of lasagna noodles (it’s essential NOT to use oven ready)
6ozshredded mozzarella
green food coloring
1red bell pepper
For Red Sauce:
1/2lbground beef
2clovesof garliccan also use 4 tbsp refrigerated minced garlic
1/4medium yellow onion
1red bell pepper
12ozone can of tomato paste
2tbspParsley
1 1/2tbspbasil
3/4tbsporeganoor 3 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1/2tspsalt
1/2tbspfresh ground pepper
1/2tspsugar
Ricotta mixture:
1egg
1 3/4cupsricotta
1/3cupparmesan
1tbspParsley
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!