Quick Sausage and Mushroom Lasagna

Since I have gone back to school, studying has become a life-form of it's own.  I read, I write and then read again;  I'm often uncertain at what point my eyes glazed over and stopped comprehending.  With my study-load I didn't want to resort to old habits i.e., sloppy joe's and Hamburger (sometimes Tuna) Helper, spaghetti, etc. so I am always looking for quick delicious meals.  I made this one tonight (at the request of Steve) as an all-time favorite.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 8-ounce packages sliced crimini (baby bella) mushrooms
• 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning blend
• 1 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 4 2/3 cups marinara sauce (from two 26-ounce jars)
• 1 9-ounce package no-cook lasagna noodles
• 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese
• 16-ounce mozzarella (4 cups)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in heavy large pot over high heat. Add mushrooms, onion, and seasoning blend; sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Add sausage and sautéuntil brown and cooked through, breaking up with back of spoon, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and stir 1 minute. Add wine; cook until almost all liquid evaporates, scraping up browned bits, about 2 minutes. Set aside.

Spread 2/3 cup marinara sauce over bottom of 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Place noodles (about 4) over sauce, forming 1 layer (noodles may overlap slightly). Spread 1 cup sauce over noodles. Top with 1/3 of ricotta, then 1 cup grated cheese. Spoon 1/3 of sausage mixture over. Repeat 2 more times with noodles, sauce, ricotta, grated cheese, and sausage mixture. Cover with 4 more noodles. Spoon remaining 1 cup sauce over; sprinkle remaining 1 cup grated cheese over. Cover with foil, tenting in center to prevent cheese from touching foil. Bake lasagna 45 minutes; remove foil. Bake until bubbling at edges and cheese is browned, about 10 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes.

Per serving: 603.28 calories (kcal), 48.9 % calories from Fat, 32.78 g fat, 15.96 g saturated Fat, 79.12 mg cholesterol, 34.96 g carbohydrates, 4.61 g dietary fiber, 10.57 g total sugars, 30.35 g net carbohydrates, 35.08 g protein. 

 

As with all recipes, reduced fat options are available; for this particular recipe, I use Italian turkey sausage with a reduced fat ricotta and mozzarella cheese. 

ENJOY!