italian sausage & spinach lasagna

Italian Sausage & Spinach Lasagna 

1 lbs bulk Italian sausage
Lasagna Noodles, oven ready or regular
1 package frozen spinach, thawed
16 oz Ricotta Cheese
1/2 tsp sweet basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1 egg, slightly beaten
2 pints tomato sauce (homemade or jarred) 
2 Cups shredded Five Cheese Italian Mix
2 Cups shredded Mozzarella 

Brown sausage in pan, when cooked place on paper-towel to drain/blot off any grease. Add ground sausage to bowl with tomato sauce (reserve 1/2 cup of plain sauce for assembly). Place slightly beaten egg, ricotta and well-drained, cooked spinach with spices into a separate bowl and mix well. Use a 9x13 baking dish. Place the reserved 1/2 Cup plain tomato sauce on bottom of baking dish, add your first layer of noodles. Spread on 1/3 the ricotta mixture, then 1/4 of the meat and sauce mixture sprinkle with cheese. *Repeat this process two more times. ending with a layer of meat sauce and final sprinkle of cheese. Cover dish with foil and Bake in Preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes. Once cheese is all melted and lasagna cooked through - oven off and let the lasagna sit in the oven for 10 mins before serving. 
Recipe & Photos by: Diane Baker for Canning and Cooking at Home

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