3 CHEESE CHICKEN SAUSAGE LASAGNA

3 CHEESE CHICKEN SAUSAGE LASAGNA image

Yield 8 pieces

Number Of Ingredients 11

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1 pound Italian chicken sausage
one 8oz can of tomato sauce
one 14oz can of diced tomatoes (drained)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon dried Italian herbs
6-8 lasagna noodles (use no-boil noodles if possible)
2 cups (16oz) ricotta cheese
1 1/2 cups frozen spinach
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
2 cups (16oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Steps:

Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottom frying pan over medium high heat and add Italian sausage (remove casing if in links). Break up the sausage and brown it completely then reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and dried Italian herbs. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. While sauce is thickening, prepare lasagna noodles following the package directions (skip this step if using no-boil or oven-ready noodles). In a large bowl, mix ricotta, frozen spinach and 3/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese, reserving 1/4 cup of the Parmesan for later. Line the bottom of a 9x11 baking pan with a single layer of lasagna noodles. When sausage sauce is finished thickening, pour it over the first layer of noodles. Cover the sausage with a second layer of noodles. Spread ricotta/spinach/Parmesan mix evenly over the second layer of noodles and spread the mozzarella over that. Sprinkle the remainder of the Parmesan evenly over the top of the mozzarella and finish by sprinkling the oregano over the Parmesan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and if needed, put it in the broiler for 10-20 seconds to lightly brown cheese top. Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.