I was craving some saucy cheesy lasagna and wanted to make it fresh, but I did not want to use jar sauce, I searched some recipes and found one that I thought would be healthy, similar to what we would have in Sicily. No onions, no butter.. just simmered tomatoes and seasonings. This marinara sauce was just that. Simple, healthy, and flavorful.
Marinara Sauce
I slivered about 7 garlic cloves.
Then I crushed the whole tomatoes in a bowl. I poured the cup of water in the can and sloshed it around to get the juices for reserve.
Next, I added the garlic to 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. I did not brown the garlic just until it started to sizzle then I added the tomatoes. I used a skillet and not a saucepan.
Once it started to bubble I added the reserve water, some oregano, and crushed red pepper with salt. The recipe called for 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, but I used a pinch of sea salt.
Then I added a couple sprigs of basil on top, once it wilted I let it simmer in the sauce.
It simmer for awhile. Stirring occasionally.
Then I removed the basil.
I set the marinara to the side.
Lasagna
In the near future I will learn to make my own pasta, but for now I bought and boiled the pasta. I could of used the oven ready no boil pasta to save time.
I used ground Italian seasoned turkey. I browned the turkey with yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves.
I mixed ricotta cheese (16oz.) with about 3 tablespoons of fresh parmesan cheese. I added 1 egg, some crushed red pepper, oregano, and pinch of sea salt. Set aside.
Once the turkey was done, I added it to the marinara sauce and set aside.
Then I added the layers. First, I added a bit of sauce to the bottom of baking dish.
I only took a picture of the first layer ricotta cheese mixture, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese. but I did rotate the noodles horizontally then vertically.
Ready to bake!!: 350 for 35 minutes.
It was a success!!! 😋😋
😘😘😘,
