2007-09-04T15:07:30Z 4.7 53 30 2007-09-04T15:07:30Z false 24943 0 With frills at the edge of her skirts, filled with beef or pork and rich cheeses then topped with tasty parmesan, lasagna is the luscious lady of the pasta world. The word "lasagna" is derived from the Greek word "lasanon" meaning chamber pot. The word was later borrowed by the Romans as "lasanum" to mean cooking pot. The Italians then used the word to refer to the dish in which what is now known as lasagna is made 0 1124 8308 For meat sauce: 12 ounces ground beef, ground pork, bulk pork sausage or bulk Italian sausage 1 cup chopped onion (1 large) 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 7 1/2 -ounce can tomatoes, cut up 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce 1 6-ounce can tomato paste 2 teaspoons dried basil, crushed 1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed (optional) 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper 6 dried lasagna noodles For the filling: 1 beaten egg 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese or 2 cups cream-style cottage cheese, drained 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese 3 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley (optional) 6 ounces sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese Grated Parmesan cheese (optional) 1 Lasagna-Recipe 1 For meat sauce: in a medium saucepan cook the meat, onion and garlic until the fat has been rendered from the meat. Drain the mixture in a colander and then return it to the pot. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, fennel seed (if desired), and ground pepper. Bring to the boil then reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. While the sauce is simmering cook the noodles for 10 to 12 minutes, or, till tender but still firm. Drain the noodles then rinse with cold water to remove excess starch. Drain them well and then set aside. For the filling: combine the egg, ricotta or cottage cheese, parmesan or romano cheese and parsley if desired. Layer half of the cooked noodles in a greased 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Cover with half of the filling, half of the meat sauce and half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. If desired, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese on top. Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes, or, until thoroughly heated through. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 35 8 3 5 2010-03-10T07:37:46Z