Excerpt
Classic Lasagna with Turkey Sausage
from Pillsbury Doughboy Family Pleasing Recipes
Prep time: 40 minutes (Ready in 2 hours)
Yield: 12 servings
9 uncooked lasagna noodles
1 lb. Italian turkey sausage
1 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 (15-oz.) container ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
1 egg, beaten
16 oz. (4 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 (48-oz.) jar (5 cups) spaghetti sauce
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, if desired
1. Cook lasagna noodles to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat oven to 350F. Brown turkey sausage in large skillet until no longer pink. Drain. In small bowl, combine cooked sausage and bell pepper. In medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, basil, egg, and 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese; mix well.
3. Spread _ cup of the spaghetti sauce in bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Top with 3 cooked noodles. Spread 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce over noodles. Top with half of ricotta mixture and half of sausage mixture. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Top with 3 noodles, 1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining sausage mixture, 3 noodles and remaining spaghetti sauce. Cover tightly with sprayed foil.
4. Bake at 350F. for 50 minutes. Uncover dish; sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Cover; bake an additional 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Uncover; let stand 15 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley just before serving.
RECIPE VARIATION: Flavored spaghetti sauce – mushroom and onion, roasted garlic or sun-dried tomato, for instance – lends a bonus boost of flavor to this family favorite.
Copyright 2002 by The Pillsbury Company