Lasagna

	Step 1
	3 pounds lean ground beef, browned
	1 medium onion, finely chopped
	¼ cup green bell pepper, chopped
	2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
	2 teaspoons ground oregano
	salt and pepper to taste
	Step 2
	1 large can of chopped tomatoes with juice
	1 large can of tomato paste
	Step 3
	1 package of lasagna noodles
	Step 4
	4 large eggs
	2 1-pound cartons of fresh ricotta cheese
	Step 5
	shredded mozzarella cheese
	parmesan cheese

Step 1. In a large dutch oven, combine all of the step 1 ingredients. Cook on medium heat until meat is done and onions are transparent. Pour off any fat that cooks out of the meat.

Step 2. Add all of the step 2 ingredients to meat mixture. Mix well and simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.
Turn off and cool.

Step 3. For years I thought you had to cook noodles, but if they are going to be baked in all this hot stuff for this long, trust me, they will be done!

Step 4. Mix 4 large eggs with 2 1-pound cartons of fresh ricotta cheese. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is smooth and eggs are completely mixed.

Step 5. In a large lasagna pan (10 x 14 x 2 inch) spread about 1 ½ cups of meat mixture over bottom of pan, cover completely with flat noodles (do not overlap edges). Place another layer of meat mixture, spread a layer of ricotta mixture. Cover ricotta mixture with layer of shredded mozzarella cheese, cover this with another layer of noodles, then meat mixture and ricotta mixture and mozzarella. Top off with remaining noodles and spread remaining meat sauce over noodles. Shake parmesan cheese on top.

Bake at 325° F for 30 to 45 minutes until top is brown and bubbly.

This came from one of my good ole co-workers, who knew everything about everything and always gave me plenty of advice, whether asked for or not. He was a character, all on his own making. He once said, “Girl, you know the best thing about grandkids coming? The taillights when they’re leaving!” Honest, he really did love his family!

	1 ½ pound of extra lean ground beef
	2 envelopes spaghetti sauce seasoning mix (name brand with mushrooms)
	2 6-ounce cans of tomato paste
	2 ½ cups water
	8 ounces lasagna noodles
	1 ½ cups blended Italian cheese, prepackaged, shredded

Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain fat, add seasoning mix, tomato paste, and water. Allow to simmer while preparing noodles. Prepare noodles according to the instructions on the package and drain. Layer noodles, meat, and cheese into a 9 x 13 inch glass baking pan. Bake in 350 - 400° F oven until bubbly throughout (about 30 minutes).

In 1978, we went to Valdosta Baptist Church in Tuscumbia to serve as Minister of Music and Youth. Charles and Joyce Ann Hester were members of that church. Charles served on the search committee that called us and sang good strong bass in the choir. Joyce Ann played the organ and was loaded with personality, along with a little mischief. Boy, could she talk! They had two children who were involved in everything. Our tenure there was short, but God has blessed us greatly through this family. Charles (Bubba) is a CPA and still does our taxes every year as a ministry to my family.

	1 cup of ricotta cheese
	1 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
	1 cup of mild cheddar cheese, shredded
	1 cup of colby-jack cheese, shredded
	1 package of lasagna noodles - cooked per package instructions
	garlic seasoning
	Marinara spaghetti sauce (1 jar or can)
	1 tablespoon of olive oil
	1 tablespoon of sugar
	2 small cans of chopped black olives, drained
	1 small onion, chopped finely
	parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top
	parsley flakes to sprinkle on top

Mix mozzarella, cheddar, and colby-jack cheeses together in a large bowl.

In a large sauce pan stir together the marinara sauce, oil, black olives, seasonings, and sugar.
Heat until the mixture boils; turn off heat. Do not overcook!!!
In a frying pan with a bit of oil, cook the onion until tender, and add to marinara sauce mixture.

In a large rectangular oven dish, begin layering the noodles with the sauce mixture and cheese mixture - first the noodles, then the sauce, then a handful of cheese (sufficient to cover the noodle layer), until all the sauce mixture and cheese mixtures are gone (don’t forget the ricotta cheese!!).

Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over the final layer of cheese and then sprinkle(cover) with the parsley flakes.

Bake in oven at 350° F for about one hour.

Enjoy with your favorite salad and garlic bread.