Kitchen duty today.

[LoboGunLeather]

Wife out and about pursuing her interests with a group of friends this afternoon, leaving me to take care of supper. Probably expected carry-out, maybe a pizza.

Decided to make manicotti, but the grocery store had no ricotta cheese. Bummer!

Went with a quick and easy lasagna instead.

9" X 9" baking pan.
1/2 lb. spicy Italian sausage.
4 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced.
Lasagna noodles.
8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese.
Ground parmesan cheese.
Olive oil.
1-qt. plain red marinara sauce (spaghetti sauce is fine), make your own or grab a jar of prepared sauce.
Ground basil.
Chopped leaf oregano.
Sea salt with garlic.

1. Large soup pot with water, sprinkle of salt, splash of olive oil. Set to rolling boil, start about 8 or 10 pieces of lasagna noodles, boil until a rubbery texture. Drain and flood with cold water to allow easy handling.
2. 10" skillet, medium heat. Brown the Italian sausage, then remove to a bowl.
3. In the skillet with the sausage grease, sautee the sliced mushrooms with a sprinkle of sea salt with garlic.
4. Prep the baking pan with a bit of olive oil, coating the bottom and sides.

Note: Steps 2,3, and 4 can be done while the noodles are boiling.

5. Lay a base of lasagna noodles in the baking pan.
6. Spread the browned sausage over the base of noodles.
7. Lay another layer of lasagna noodles.
8. Spread the sautéed mushrooms, then cover with shredded mozzarella cheese.
9. Lay another layer of lasagna noodles.
10. Smother with the marinara/spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with a bit of ground basil and chopped leaf oregano.
11. Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese, then sprinkle with ground parmesan cheese.

Preheat oven to 350F, then bake for 45 minutes. Cheese topping should be browned and a bit crunchy.

Served with a tossed salad of lettuce and tomatoes. Finished with sliced fresh pears.

No Lambrusco in the wine rack, so I cracked a bottle of California merlot.

Washed the dishes, wiped down the counter tops and stove top. Then I found my La-Z-Boy for a peaceful evening.

About 6 to 8 servings, so I can get away with this again soon.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Sounds delicious.

I couldn't get the boys to eat a mushroom for a wheelbarrow full of unmarked, non-sequential bills.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Sounds delicious.

I couldn't get the boys to eat a mushroom for a wheelbarrow full of unmarked, non-sequential bills.

Easy enough to substitute for personal tastes. Zucchini, bell peppers, all sorts of options to choose.

 

[Racer X]

Oh, I had expected you hit something with your truck.

 

[old bear]

Sounds delicious.

I couldn't get the boys to eat a mushroom for a wheelbarrow full of unmarked, non-sequential bills.

Than "let them eat cake."

 

[johngalt]

For a low carb version, substitute sliced deli chicken for the noodles.

 

[mmb617]

My dear departed wife used to remark at times that it was a pia figuring out what to make for supper each day, and I always thought "How hard could it be?"

Now since I'm retired and my son works full time I make supper for us every day and it is more of a hassle than I realized to figure out what to have and make sure the ingredients are on hand.

I generally figure my menu a week in advance so I don't have to make as many trips to the store. With only two of us I often make something we can eat twice as long as it's something that can be reheated, such as a pan of lasagna.

We never eat out so I make something every day, but we're not fussy so it can be as easy as burgers and fries on the grill.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

My dear departed wife used to remark at times that it was a pia figuring out what to make for supper each day, and I always thought "How hard could it be?"

Now since I'm retired and my son works full time I make supper for us every day and it is more of a hassle than I realized to figure out what to have and make sure the ingredients are on hand.

I generally figure my menu a week in advance so I don't have to make as many trips to the store. With only two of us I often make something we can eat twice as long as it's something that can be reheated, such as a pan of lasagna.

We never eat out so I make something every day, but we're not fussy so it can be as easy as burgers and fries on the grill.

During my single years I worked crazy hours and often arrived at home tired and hungry. I started making meals that would provide more than one serving. Roast beef with potatoes & carrots, ham & beans, chili, lasagna, burritos, stews and soups, all can be frozen for weeks or months to be enjoyed another time. Not unusual for me to have 4 or 5 selections ready for a few minutes in the microwave, then a good home-cooked meal, and minimal clean-up time.

Restaurants are fine, but sometimes it's nice to relax at home and eat well. Certainly more economical.

 

[Rudi]

You can sub. cottage cheese for the Ricotta.

 

[Nevada Ed]

What;
no spinach tossed in or maybe an olive or two ?

I hate it when the store does not have an item.

Went yesterday for one Cornish game hen and they did not have any !!
Just chicken and turkeys, now.

You did well, carry on.

 

[pawngal]

You made me hungry for lasagna, maybe tomorrow. I'm sure I have everything on hand.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I know this is cheating but we often find ourselves pressed for time and will throw two (one for me and Ruthie and one for the eating machines) of these ALDI brand lasagnas in the oven. Served with a small salad and garlic toast they are surprisingly tasty.

Affordable and filling to boot.

 

[johngalt]

I was just at the grocery store, was planning to get stuff for lasagna. But it was super crowded, so I'll try again at a less busy time.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I was just at the grocery store, was planning to get stuff for lasagna. But it was super crowded, so I'll try again at a less busy time.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

My wife started teaching the kids to cook at age 8. First thing they cook from scratch is Biscuits. As the grow they learn to do pies, breads, soups and Marinara sauce, from which come spaghetti & meat balls and Lasagna.

When #1 son was stationed in Germany, he wanted Lasagna. There were no Italian restaurants in his town; so he called home and got the recipes and off to Aldi's he and the bride went. It wasn't his mom's but it's better that most restaurants in Ohio! He also makes home made bread for garlic bread! As the younger kids grew they had an older brother to encourage them, so all 4 cook better than their spouses!

Ivan

 

[glenwolde]

Sounds delicious.

I couldn't get the boys to eat a mushroom for a wheelbarrow full of unmarked, non-sequential bills.

I'm with the boys on that....

 

[johngalt]

Apparently there is a holiday coming up

 

[UncleEd]

Note the Bremer lasagna in one
posting contains 33 percent of
a daily allowance of sodium in
a one-cup serving.

For rival Stouffers lasagna it
is 40 percent sodium allowance
in a single small serving.

Your primary physicians and
cardiologists for those of us
of an older age will tell you
that's a no-no.

Nearly all so-called processed
foods are on dietitians' "don't
eat" list.

 

[Rustyt1953]

You do you. I'll do me.

 

[Golddollar]

I couldn't get the boys to eat a mushroom for a wheelbarrow full of unmarked, non-sequential bills.

They'd pass up my stuffed mushroom????