Freeze Ahead Lasagna Primavera Food

MAKE AHEAD FREEZER LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions, until just shy of al dente (they will cook more when baked).
• Meanwhile, brown ground beef with sausage. Drain excess fat and stir in your favorite spaghetti/pasta sauce.
• In a small bowl, stir together cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, and prepared pesto.
• Start layering into pans. This recipe can make 1 9x13 inch baking pan or 2 8x8 inch baking pans. Put a very small amount of the meat sauce in the bottom of the pan.
• Place a layer of noodles along the bottom of the pan(s), followed by a layer of meat sauce. Spread evenly. Next top with a thin layer of cheese/pesto mixture. Spread evenly. Sprinkle with a small amount of the mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat layers until all the ingredients are used up. Top the lasagna with a thick layer of the mozzarella cheese.
• If baking a lasagna right away, place pan in a preheated oven set at 350°F. Bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and sauce is thick and bubbling.
• Cover the remaining baking pan(s) with aluminum foil. Write the following instructions on the foil:Freezer Lasagna__/__/__ (Date)*Thaw Overnight in the Fridge*Bake uncovered at 350°F for 30 minutesPlace prepared baking pan(s) in the freezer for a meal at a later time.

FREEZE-AHEAD LASAGNA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium; add flour and garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes (do not let flour mixture darken); whisk in milk. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add spinach, peas, and carrots; season with salt and pepper. Set sauce aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and teaspoon pepper.
• In the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of vegetable sauce. Layer noodles, half the remaining vegetable sauce, another noodles, half the ricotta mixture, half the mozzarella, and half the Parmesan; repeat.
• Cover dish with lightly oiled aluminum foil, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes, uncover, and bake until bubbling and browned, about 20 minutes more. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• FOR THE SAUCE: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add the onions and cook until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the meat, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces until the meat loses its raw color but has not browned, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the cream, bring to a simmer, and cook until the liquid evaporates and only the fat remains, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato puree and drained diced tomatoes (and a splash of your favorite red wine if you feel so inclined).
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors are blended, about 3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING: Stir all the ingredients together until combined; set aside.
• TO ASSEMBLE THE LASAGNA: Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (avoiding large chunks of meat).
• Place 3 noodles in a single layer.
• Spread each noodle with 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella.
• Spoon 1 cup of sauce evenly over the cheeses.
• Repeat layering twice more.
• Place the remaining 3 noodles on top, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella and the Parmesan.
• TO STORE: Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. (If frozen, the casserole must be thawed completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours).
• TO SERVE: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Unwrap the dish and cover tightly with aluminium foil that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray (or use nonstick foil). Place a rimmed baking sheet under the dish to catch any overspill. Bake until the sauce bubbles lightly around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until hot throughout and the cheese is browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
• TO SERVE RIGHT AWAY: Follow instructions above, reducing covered baking time to 15 minutes.