I love to have friends over to the house for dinner. I don’t think of it as entertaining, I just think it’s an excuse to spend time with great people. The only problem that I have found is that when you are cooking, you miss out on spending time with your guests. Sure, they can come into the kitchen to be with you, but you really can’t enjoy their company while you are focusing on your dish. The perfect solution to this problem is like this – my simple lasagna. All the work is done ahead of time and all you do is throw it in the oven when your guests arrive. It takes 45 minutes to cook which will allow you the time to have a glass of wine and relax with your friends, rather than missing that great time catching up with those close to you.
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 jar red sauce (24 ounces)
- ½ medium onion, diced
- ½ green bell pepper, diced
- 1 box lasagna noodles
- 2 eggs
- 1 container ricotta cheese (15 ounces)
- 1 tablespoon pesto
- 16 ounce mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Olive oil
Bring a large frying pan to medium-high heat on the stove, and then add a tablespoon of olive oil followed by the onions and peppers. Stir continuously for about three minutes before adding the ground turkey. Stir turkey occasionally to ensure that it cooks completely. While the turkey is cooking, bring water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles as directed.
Once the turkey is cooked and all the water has evaporated, add the red sauce, stir and reduce the heat to a simmer.
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, eggs and pesto.
Pour one tablespoon of olive oil into a 9” by 13” pan and spread it evenly to keep the noodles from sticking to the pan. Arrange the noodles with the bottom layer going the width of the pan. Cut noodles as necessary to ensure complete coverage. Scoop half of the turkey and red sauce into the bottom layer (picture A) and spread evenly. Add the next layer of noodles going the length of the pan. Scoop half of the ricotta cheese mixture (picture B) and spread evenly. Repeat once more with each alternating layer, then top with shredded mozzarella (picture C).
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Once finished cooking, let the lasagna stand for 15 minute to set before serving (picture D).
I like to start with a garden salad before the lasagna, and then serve it with fresh, hot garlic bread. Enjoy!
Lasagna is my go-to meal when we have guests. Most people like it, preparation is hands-off, and the leftovers are yummy! I actually prefer to use the Barilla no-bake noodles... allows me to be even lazier! I like using turkey Italian sausage insted of ground turkey to spice it up a bit, too.
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