SANDRA'S ALASKAN HEARTY MOOSE LASAGNA

I created this lasagna recipe

using ingredients I had on hand this morning.

It turned out fabulous just in time for lunch!

We'll be enjoying this for dinner as well...

Servings: (12)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 1 Hr.

Let Stand: 15 Mins.

INGREDIENTS:

Moose meat sauce: 
--(When using no-boil lasagna noodles, it's imperative that the sauce be thinner than normal so the correct lasagna consistency is achieved):

1 lb. extra-lean moose burger 

--(or other types of meat, although drain after browning if non-extra-lean burger is not used)

1/4 cup finely chopped sweet onion

1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped button mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon granulated onion

2 teaspoons balsamic

1 teaspoon worcestershire

2 teaspoons amber agave

1 (24 oz jar) Newman's Own Organic Tomato Basil marinara sauce

1/4 cup water (to rinse marinara jar, as this sauce is rather thick)

1 (15. oz. can) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained

Cheeses:

4 cups shredded fiesta blend cheese, divided

1 (15 oz. container) ricotta

1/4 cup finely shredded fresh parmesan, plus more for final topping

Pasta:

12 no-boil lasagna pasta sheets

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Set aside a 9x12" glass baking dish sprayed with oil, and place atop a slightly larger foil-lined baking sheet.

Moose meat sauce:

In a medium saucepan over medium high-heat, brown the burger half way about 3 minutes. Add the onion, bell pepper and onions and cook for 3 minutes. Add the remaining sauce ingredients and bring to boil; reduce heat to simmer, cover, and let simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and set aside.

Cheeses:

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, gently combine 2 cups of fiesta blend cheese, ricotta and parmesan. Set aside, along with remaining 2 cups of fiesta blend cheese.

Pasta:

Lay out no-boil lasagna sheets; set aside.

ASSEMBLY:

Lightly cover bottom of prepared glass baking dish with a bit of sauce.

Then begin layering with 3 sheets of no-boil pasta, 3/4 cup of sauce, 3/4 cup of cheese mixture; repeat 3 times.

Final layer: Place 3 sheets of no-boil pasta, the remaining sauce, and top with reserved 2 cups of fiesta cheese, including a final sprinkling of parmesan.

Assembled lasagna, ready for the oven...

BAKE:

Cover baking dish with foil (sprayed underneath with oil to prevent cheese from sticking while baking). Bake for 45 minutes.  Remove foil and continue baking for 15 minutes, until lasagna is bubbly and golden on top. 

Remove lasagna from oven and let stand on wire rack, uncovered, for 15 minutes prior to slicing. Serve lasagna with your favorite dressed garden salad. ~ Enjoy!