Lasagna

I use jack cheese instead of or in combination with mozzarella because it is less rubbery. But any variations are good.

This works for an approximately 11 x 14 baking pan. If you have a larger or deeper pan, cook all the noodles in the package

1/2 - 3/4 package gently cooked lasagna noodles (OK we think it's like 15 to 16 noodles from a box of ~20)

1 package frozen spinach or large bunch cooked, salted fresh

dash nutmeg

green onion

salt

1 pint container ricotta cheese

1 1⁄2 packages Monterey Jack cheese

1 1⁄2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

1 - 2 large jar Spaghetti Sauce (I like Emeril's Marinara)

Optionally: brown 1 lb. of lean ground beef with salt and Italian herbs. Add as a layer near the bottom.

Sauté spinach until melted and hot and evaporated mostly dry. Add a little butter during cooking to keep from sticking. Grate a little nutmeg into spinach to take away acidity, add chopped green onion.

Layer some sauce, then noodles, ricotta, spinach, cheese etc. Repeat.

Bake at 350º until hot and bubbly. About 30 minutes.

-Kate

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Here's what we did for a recent batch that came out particularly good:

- mix a jar of the truffle marinara sauce with a large can of tomatoes, drained and food-dremeled

- smear some olive oil around the baking dish

- do layers from bottom to top in this order: thin sauce, noodles, meat + half the jack cheese + a little sauce, noodles, spinach + ricotta + a bit of salt, noodles, thin sauce, the rest of the jack cheese

There will be leftover sauce. Freeze in small units for pizza etc.

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