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ITALIAN SAUSAGE LASAGNA

Serves 8

1 pound hot or mild Italian sausage, casings removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 EACH red and green peppers, thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 large yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 28-oz. can tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons fennel seed
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 10-oz. package chopped frozen spinach, thawed
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
3 cups low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 (2 oz.) shredded Mozzarella cheese
9 lasagna noodles 


Cooking Directions
In large heavy skillet, crumble and brown sausage until well-browned; drain off fat, set sausage aside. Wipe skillet clean; heat olive oil over medium-high heat; add sliced peppers and the sliced onion and 2 cloves of garlic. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are wilted, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and fennel seed. Reduce heat to low and simmer about 20-30 minutes, to develop flavors. Stir in reserved sausage. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.

Squeeze all liquid from thawed spinach, set aside. In small saucepan, saute the chopped onion and 2 remaining garlic cloves in the butter until wilted, about 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta, mozzarella and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Boil noodles according to package directions; drain.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour one-third of tomato sauce into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish; spread evenly. Arrange 3 noodles in the dish and spread one-half of the spinach over the noodles. Spread one-half of the cheese mixture evenly over the spinach. Repeat this layering process once more. Top with the remaining 3 noodles and tomato sauce. Sprinkle top of dish with remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Bake lasagna for about 1 hour, until bubbly and browned on top. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Serving Suggestions
Bring out the checked tablecloth and turn your kitchen into your favorite Italian restaraunt. Have garlic cheese bread and green salad accompany this dish.


Nutrition Facts
Calories 497 calories; Protein 29 grams; Fat 25 grams; Sodium 794 milligrams; Cholesterol 67 milligrams; Saturated Fat 11 grams; Carbohydrates 41 grams; Fiber 5 grams
 
Recipe courtesy of National Pork Board.
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