| Simple Layered Lasagna |
A straightforward and flavorful lasagna with a creamy ricotta fil... |
casserole, Italian, make-ahead, freezer-friendly |
{"title":"Simple Layered Lasagna","description":"A straightforward and flavorful lasagna with a creamy ricotta filling and savory meat sauce, perfect for make-ahead or freezing.","full_ingredient_list":["15 oz. ricotta cheese","1 large egg","4.5 cups mozzarella cheese","\u00be cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated","2 teaspoons Italian seasoning","2 tablespoons olive oil","1 yellow onion, finely diced","\u00be lb. ground beef","\u00be lb. Italian sausage","3 cloves garlic, minced","\u00bd cup chicken broth","40 oz. marinara sauce","1 tablespoon tomato paste","1 teaspoon hot sauce","1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce","12 lasagna noodles","\u00bd teaspoon salt","\u00bc teaspoon pepper","Fresh parsley"],"components":[{"name":"Cheese Filling","ingredients":[{"name":"Ricotta cheese","quantity":"15 oz.","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Large egg","quantity":"1","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Mozzarella cheese","quantity":"2 cups","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Parmesan cheese","quantity":"\u00be cup","preparation_notes":"freshly grated","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Italian seasoning","quantity":"2 teaspoons","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Salt","quantity":"\u00bd teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Pepper","quantity":"\u00bc teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]}],"tools_and_equipment":[],"instructions":[{"step_number":1,"description":"Combine the cheese filling ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.","tips":"Ensure the ricotta cheese is well mixed with the egg for a creamy texture."}]},{"name":"Meat Sauce","ingredients":[{"name":"Olive oil","quantity":"1 tablespoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Yellow onion","quantity":"1","preparation_notes":"finely diced","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Ground beef","quantity":"\u00be lb.","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Ground Italian sausage","quantity":"\u00be lb.","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Garlic cloves","quantity":"3","preparation_notes":"minced","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Chicken broth","quantity":"\u00bd cup","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Marinara sauce","quantity":"40 oz.","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Tomato paste","quantity":"1 tablespoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Hot sauce","quantity":"1 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Worcestershire sauce","quantity":"1 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]}],"tools_and_equipment":[],"instructions":[{"step_number":1,"description":"Heat olive oil over medium heat and add the onions. Let them soften for 10 minutes.","tips":"Softening the onions helps release their sugars, balancing the sauce's acidity."},{"step_number":2,"description":"Add the ground beef and sausage and increase heat to medium-high. Cook until browned.","tips":"Break up the meat with a spatula for fine crumbles."},{"step_number":3,"description":"Add garlic in the last minute of cooking. Drain excess fat.","tips":""},{"step_number":4,"description":"Add chicken broth, deglaze the pot, then add marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer.","tips":"Deglazing helps incorporate all the browned flavors."}]},{"name":"Lasagna Assembly","ingredients":[{"name":"Lasagna noodles","quantity":"12","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Mozzarella cheese","quantity":"2.5 cups","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"Fresh parsley","quantity":"to taste","preparation_notes":"optional garnish","substitutions":[]}],"tools_and_equipment":["9 x 13-inch casserole dish"],"instructions":[{"step_number":1,"description":"Preheat oven to 375\u00b0F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.","tips":""},{"step_number":2,"description":"Layer meat sauce, noodles, and ricotta mixture, repeating for 3 layers. Top with mozzarella.","tips":""},{"step_number":3,"description":"Cover with foil sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 15 minutes.","tips":"Spraying the foil prevents cheese from sticking."},{"step_number":4,"description":"Let rest for 15 minutes before serving, garnish with parsley if desired.","tips":"Resting helps the layers set for easier slicing."}]}],"prep_time":"40 minutes","cook_time":"45 minutes","total_time":"1 hour 40 minutes","servings":"12 servings","tags":["casserole","Italian","make-ahead","freezer-friendly"],"notes":"This lasagna is a versatile dish that can be prepared in advance and stored for future meals. Ensure to fully thaw if frozen before baking. The flavors meld beautifully with time."} |
| Simple and Comforting Chicken Tetrazzini |
This creamy and cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini is a family-friendly co... |
Main Course, American, Casserole, Chicken, Freezer-Friendly, Pasta |
{"title":"Simple and Comforting Chicken Tetrazzini","description":"This creamy and cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini is a family-friendly comfort food, perfect as a make-ahead meal and ideal for using up leftover turkey or chicken.","prep_time":"15 minutes","cook_time":"45 minutes","total_time":"1 hour","servings":"8","tags":["Main Course","American","Casserole","Chicken","Freezer-Friendly","Pasta"],"notes":"This recipe is excellent for using leftover rotisserie chicken or turkey. It can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer until ready to bake. Adjust seasonings to taste, and feel free to add in vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor.","full_ingredient_list":["1 pound thin spaghetti, cooked al dente","1 pound seasoned cooked chicken, chopped or shredded","10 ounce can cream of chicken soup","10 ounce can cream of mushroom soup","2 cups sour cream","1\/2 cup butter, melted","1\/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth","1\/2 cup frozen peas","1 1\/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese","1\/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese","2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese","1 teaspoon salt","1\/2 teaspoon pepper","1\/4 teaspoon garlic powder","Fresh chopped parsley for garnish"],"components":[{"name":"Chicken Tetrazzini Bake","ingredients":[{"name":"thin spaghetti","quantity":"1 pound","preparation_notes":"Cooked al dente","substitutions":["Any pasta"]},{"name":"seasoned cooked chicken","quantity":"1 pound","preparation_notes":"Chopped or shredded","substitutions":["Turkery","Seafood"]},{"name":"cream of chicken soup","quantity":"10 ounces","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Homemade chicken cream sauce"]},{"name":"cream of mushroom soup","quantity":"10 ounces","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Additional cream of chicken"]},{"name":"sour cream","quantity":"2 cups","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Greek yogurt"]},{"name":"butter","quantity":"1\/2 cup","preparation_notes":"Melted","substitutions":["Margarine"]},{"name":"low-sodium chicken broth","quantity":"1\/2 cup","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Vegetable broth"]},{"name":"frozen peas","quantity":"1\/2 cup","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Peas and carrots mix"]},{"name":"shredded mozzarella cheese","quantity":"1 1\/2 cups","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Provolone"]},{"name":"shredded cheddar cheese","quantity":"1\/2 cup","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Colby"]},{"name":"grated Parmesan cheese","quantity":"2 tablespoons","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":["Asiago"]},{"name":"salt","quantity":"1 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"pepper","quantity":"1\/2 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"garlic powder","quantity":"1\/4 teaspoon","preparation_notes":"","substitutions":[]},{"name":"fresh chopped parsley","quantity":"as needed","preparation_notes":"For garnish","substitutions":[]}],"tools_and_equipment":["Large bowl","Whisk","9x13 baking dish","Foil","Oven"],"instructions":[{"step_number":1,"description":"Preheat the oven to 350\u00b0F (175\u00b0C). Coat a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.","tips":""},{"step_number":2,"description":"In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.","tips":"Ensure all soup clumps are smooth for a consistent sauce."},{"step_number":3,"description":"Stir in the cooked chicken, al dente spaghetti, and frozen peas, making sure everything is well coated with the sauce.","tips":"Toss gently to prevent the spaghetti from breaking."},{"step_number":4,"description":"Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and evenly sprinkle the top with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.","tips":"Layer cheeses for an even cheesy top."},{"step_number":5,"description":"Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot throughout.","tips":"Watch the cheese closely to avoid burning."},{"step_number":6,"description":"Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.","tips":"Allowing it to rest helps the sauce thicken slightly before serving."}]}]} |
