Christmas Eve Lasagne

My mother was a wonderful and committed hostess.  She entertained all the family on Christmas Eve, again on Christmas Day, then the big one on New Years Day.  All in a 1000 square foot house and a very small kitchen.  Then, she rested until Easter.  No wonder I am a nervous wreck around the holidays.  My mother was perfect.  You'll meet her in a couple of days.  No really.  Check back. 

But I am working on making life simpler for me, though.  I've been trying to create a Christmas Eve tradition, something memorable and nice that I can prepare early in the day and cook off later.  A couple years I made a lasagne, but true to my up bringing, it had two types of meat and a homemade sauce.  Not easy.  Not fast.  This year, I'm making a much easier lasagne.  So this blog is not about a recipe.  This recipe is readily available many places.  It is about feeling good and being happy.  It is about enjoying the people around me and the life we've created together.

Christmas Eve at the Osborne's Lasagne

Brown 1 lb of ground beef, drain any fat.  Add 1T. minced onion, 1/2 t. garlic powder and 1t. dried oregano.

In a bowl, combine 2 eggs, 1-15 oz container ricotta cheese, 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese.

Cook 12 lasagna noodles until almost cooked.  Drain in a colandar and cool a bit by running  water over them in the sink.

Put them back in the pan and add a couple T. veg oil.  Toss the noodles in the oil making sure none stick to each other.  They'll be easier to handle if they are each coated with the oil.

Now,  add 1-15-oz jar of your  favorite spagetti sauce to the meat and stir to combine.  Put 1/2 c. of the meat mixture in the bottom of each of two small lasagne pans which have been sprayed.  Spread out the sauce. Top with one layer of noodles. 

Add a layer of the cheese mixture to each. I recommend dropping  spoons of it, then spreading with a small spatula. 

Another cup of meat mixture over each and spread it.

Then the last of the noodles on top.

The last of the sauce on top of that.  Sprinkle an additional 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese over all. 

Cover both with aluminum foil and into the frig. 

Now I'm off to the kid's house.  And see what I got to do with my extra time!

Decorate cookies with the 6 year old granddaughter and babysit the littlest one while mom did some last minute stuff. 

Good to not be stuck in the kitchen.  Maybe I'm learning

 

Remember to be happy.