5 February 2008

Ooh-la-la-la-sagna

Ooh-la-la-la-sagna
If you asked me where this recipe came from I have a memory like a sieve. Good thing that a sieve is a culinary term so I am right on the mark. What I liked about this recipe was the ease at which it was put together using premade ingredients. This boosts this recipe to new heights in ease of preparation for those busy weekday meals. I made the sauce on Sunday so that during the week all that was needed was to assemble this dish.

Ground turkey adds the extra bonus of this dish being a little more heart-friendly, and the turkey sausage adds a burst of flavour. I happened to like the name as well!! Ooh-la-la!!!!!





To speed up the process even further I purchased Italian lasagna noodles. In the bottom of the casserole I place a little sauce and add a little water to slightly cover the bottom. Then I start layering without cooking the lasagna noodles. This seems to work quite well and saves so much time!!!

I am entering this dish in the Presto Pasta Nights event by our talented friend Ruth at Once Upon a Feast . I wish I made pasta every week so that I could enter often!! Her round-up seems to get bigger and bigger every Friday!!!!

**Ooh-la-la-la-sagna!**

Sauce


5 sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed)
2 teaspoon olive oil
1- 1/2 cups chopped red onions
2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 -1/4 pounds (568 g) extra-lean ground turkey
8 ounces (227 g) lean Italian turkey sausage
1 cup packed grated unpeeled zucchini
1 jar (700 mL) your favourite tomato-based pasta sauce
1 can (19 oz/540 mL) tomatoes with Italian herbs, undrained, chopped
1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves

Filling

2 cups light ricotta cheese or cottage cheese makes a good substitute
2 ounces (57 g) crumbled feta cheese with herbs
1 pkg frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed dry and chopped
1 egg
12 whole wheat lasagna noodles
1- 1/2 cups packed shredded 4-cheese blend (6 oz/170 g; see Tip)

Sauce

Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over sun-dried tomatoes and let soak while you prepare the sauce.

To make sauce, heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Add onions and garlic. Cook and stir until onions have softened, about 4 minutes.

Add ground turkey and sausage, breaking up any large pieces. Cook until meat is no longer pink. Add zucchini and cook for 2 minutes. Add all remaining sauce ingredients, except fresh basil. When sun-dried tomatoes are soft enough, drain and chop them (fine) and add to sauce. Bring sauce to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Stir in minced basil and remove from heat.

Filling

Combine all filling ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to use. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain well.

To Assemble

Preheat oven to 375ºF.

To assemble lasagna, lightly spray a deep 9 x 13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. Spoon some meat sauce over bottom of dish. Arrange 4 noodles over sauce and layer as follows: 1/3 meat sauce, 1/2 (4-cheese) blend, 4 noodles, 1/3 meat sauce, all of the ricotta/spinach mixture, 4 noodles, 1/3 meat sauce, 1/2 (4-cheese) blend. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 more minutes. Let lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

20 comments:

  1. Looks very delish Val; am sure the ground turkey would taste wonderful in a Lasagna.

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  2. Val, this sounds great. I love any pasta dish and both combinations sound great to me. I think I am going to give this one a try soon.

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  3. Easy is good. I like easy. So I like this recipe. Just what is needed for those dreaded weeknight cooking chores. Your lovely photos make it look so good.

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  4. Turkey is not something I eat a lot of. I find it quite bland, but looking at this recipe I could definitely be converted.

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  5. What a perfectly fantastic looking lasagna. I love it and thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

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  6. Thankyou so much for all your encouragement guys :) I am still eating this lasagna for leftover lunches and a little is in the freezer for more quick meals :)

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  7. Valli, I love Lasagna and yours looks beautiful!!!(Valli I didn't have time yet to the meme but I will like to make) I put some pictures of my childs and my mom(they have 13) if you want look .xxxGloria

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  8. It looks awesome Val and sneakily sort of healthy! I will definitely be making it soon!

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  9. Hey, you looks beautiful in the photo
    You right this lasagna deserves a Ooh lala...looks delicious and I love lasagna

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  10. Wow, check out that great photo! What a mouth watering looking dish. I love lasagna, and your name is so cute! I have done mine with turkey before, but have not added any sausage. What a great suggestion for a boost of flavor!
    And...in your photo your piece looks so nice and neat! Mine usually come out as a cheesy, gooey blob.
    A perfect dish for your new fallen snow! Spring is not far away!

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  11. That looks yummalicious Valli! We are suckers for lasagne over here! I don't cook lasange noodles either - it helps them stay al dente that way too!

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  12. lasagne..mmmmm....nice job!

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  13. Val, Your dish, looks delish!!! especially the photo! I love the touch of the tomatoes, very nice! And might I say, your new photo is the bomb!

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  14. Your lasagna look really good! Lasagna is one of my favorite meals. This reminds me that I have not had lasagna in a while.

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  15. Beautiful picture!
    I love lasagna, but who doesn't?
    I love all of the combination of flavors you used...sun dried tomatoes...zucchini...CHEESE.

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  16. MMMMmmm que bueno, Val!!! It looks so creamy and delicious... I like the contrast of the red tomatoes on one side, nice picture!

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  17. Oh la la! Do you know that French people really say that? All the time.....
    Great looking lasagne - love the feta in it.
    Happy belated Blogiversary

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  18. Oh Val, this is one really lovely sounding dish. I adore pasta dishes and with turkey it must be healthy too ;)

    Rosie x

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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