When the lights of the city hit my
Eyes on the plane looking out the window
I am consumed by a comforting notion
That you are there and
I am welcome. ~ Jack White, City Lights
Why do we go home? What do we expect to find there? For those who moved from place to place, it isn’t the familiarity of the home. It isn’t our childhood room or our familiar neighborhood. It is simply to be where you belong, where you fit in your unique being. It is to be loved in that way that only parents can love. I have no illusion that we understand our children better than their spouses, but we understand them in a way no other person ever could. To be loved like your mother loves you is incomparable. It is a love that disregards flaws (sees them perhaps but disregards) and gives the benefit of the doubt. It is a love that sees the best of all that God has put in you.
Since all our children are in the military or married to someone in the military coming home is rarer than in most families especially us all being together at the same time. When the time does come it fills the house with joy and anticipation. No doubt dinner requests have already been submitted and I will busy myself with shopping, chopping and preparing. One of the most requested meals from my kids is this lasagne. It is loved by our family and extended family and is the perfect meal for a feast.
This is true food of love. There is some self sacrifice in making it, in that you will spend quite some time in the kitchen, but the effort will be paid back with the satisfaction in all the “mmmms” you’ll hear and the fighting for seconds. For me, there is no greater thing. My hope is all our children and especially those who spend so much time away from home serving our country enjoy their home comings and time with those who love them and miss them so much.
Happy Veteran’s Day to all our men and women who are serving and have served! Thank you so much for all you sacrifice for us.
Ingredients (Serves 9-12)
2 tbsp olive oil
1 med. onion
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. Italian sausage, ground or links, casings removed and cut into 1″ pieces
4 cloves garlic
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp oregano
1 tbsp parsley, chopped
1/2 cup tomato puree
1 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup of water, more if to thick
1 cup plus 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1/2 lb. lasagne noodles
1 lb. mozzarella cheese
15 oz. ricotta cheese
Dash of Tabasco, unless hot Italian sausage is used
Instructions
Heat oil and saute onions until translucent. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until well browned.
Add garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, tomato puree, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, water and Tabasco, if not using hot Italian sausage.
Mix well and simmer covered for 45 minutes.
Cook noodles in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and cover with cold water.
Place a small amount of filling in the bottom of a 9×12 pan.
Layer with noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, then the meat sauce. Repeat 2 more times ending with meat sauce.
Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
Bake in 350° oven for 30 minutes.
¡Enjoy!
This recipe was given to me 31 years ago when my husband and I were first married. It has been a treasured recipe and some have even suggested that I frame the original. Here is the handwritten recipe from one of my oldest friends from our Army days.
Lasagne
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 med. onion
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 lb. Italian sausage ground or links, casings removed and cut into 1" pieces
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp oregano
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1/2 cup tomato puree
- 1 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 cup of water more if to thick
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 lb. lasagne noodles
- 1 lb. mozzarella cheese
- 15 oz. ricotta cheese
- Dash of Tabasco unless hot Italian sausage is used
Instructions
- Heat oil and saute onions until translucent. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until well browned.
- Add garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, tomato puree, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, water and Tabasco, if not using hot Italian sausage.
- Mix well and simmer covered for 45 minutes.
- Cook noodles in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and cover with cold water.
- Place a small amount of filling in the bottom of a 9x12 pan.
- Layer with noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, then the meat sauce. Repeat 2 more times ending with meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce.
- Bake in 350° oven for 30 minutes.
I love food! I read cookbooks like they were novels. I get giddy in a farmer’s market. I find a chicken in a pot surrounded by carrots, onion, and celery a thing of beauty. My favorite sound is Mmmmmmmm!
I'd love to hear from you!