Lasagna

You will need:
1lb ground beef
1 can (26oz) spaghetti sauce (i use hunts)
1 package lasagna noodles
2lbs (4 cups) Ricotta cheese
2 cups (8oz) shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
4 eggs
1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (if you don't have fresh, skip!)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Optional*
1 med size onion diced
1-3 clove of garlic chopped (amount depending on preference)
1 can black olives sliced
1 can mushrooms (pieces and stems)


Here we go!

1. Brown meat in a 3qt pan (you will be using this pan for your sauce so make sure its big enough).
2. Drain meat and add spaghetti sauce plus any optional ingredients. Let simmer.
3. Start boiling water for your noodles.
4. In a large mixing bowl combine all cheeses, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well. (I use my hands, its easier)
5. Wait for noodles to cook. As soon as they are done, drain them. I set my strainer right in the sink and run cool water on it to A: cool noodles off for handling and B: prevent them from sticking together. If you have a sticky noodles issue, use veg or olive oil to unstick.
6. Cover bottom of a 13x9 Baking pan with sauce. And then put a layer of noodles over top.
7. Take 1/3 of the cheese sauce and spread it over noodles, then take 1/3 of meat sauce and spread it over cheese. Top with noodles.
8. Repeat step 7, 2 more times.
9. Top your lasagna off with a little extra sauce and mozzarella cheese.
10. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 min or until hot and bubbly.
11. Enjoy! Don't forget the garlic bread! :)

Olive Dip

You will need:
2 blocks cream cheese
1 jar green olives (6-7oz) sizes vary
1 can medium black olives (7oz)

1. Set your cream cheese out to soften and then put in medium bowl.

2. Drain black olives and break olives in your fingers (or chop with a knife or slap chop) you want big chunks and little chunks so don't worry about being neat.

3. DO NOT drain green olives. Repeat step 2 with green olives.

4. Add broken up/chopped olives and green olive juice into bowl.

5. Mix. It takes about 3-5 minutes to get it all mixed up and a good consistency. It looks gross at first and I almost always think I did something wrong, but within a few minutes it comes together perfectly.

6. Serve! I like to spread dip on ritz crackers. It would go will will chips, triscuits, or pumpernickle bread as well though.


Also, you could easily add in a jar of Greek olives if you are feeling creative. Just remember you will only need half of the juice from the 3rd jar and you'll need to add another package of cream cheese. Let me know how you like it!


Happy eating :) -Brittany