Layers of Flavors

I don’t know about y’all, but I love me some lasagna.  Mr. Spouse, on the other hand, isn’t a fan.  He HATES Ricotta cheese.  I might be on board with his train of thought on that one.  However, I love lasagna.  I’m always looking for random variations on this classic dish, but none have really stood out until I found this one!  Y’all.  OMG.  Layers of flavors. SO dang good! Even Mr. Spouse helped himself to seconds…and thirds, too, for that matter!!! 

SAUSAGE AND PEPPER LASAGNA

1 lb. sausage {I used Jimmy Dean, but the original recipe called for Italian sausage}

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

2 {8 oz.} pkgs. cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided

2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 jar spaghetti sauce {I highly recommend Classico Tomato & Basil!!!}

1/2 cup water

1/2 tsp. dried oregano leaves

12 lasagna noodles

Cut onion & peppers and mix in a skillet with sausage.  The original recipe called for Italian sausage, but Mr. Spouse brought home Jimmy Dean :)  We went with it & I’m SO glad we did!!  Cook until meat is browned and veggies are softened.  Drain & return to pan.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese & milk with blender until well blended.  Combine mozzarella and parmesan and reserve 1 1/2 cups  & set aside.  Pour the remaining cheese mixture into the cream cheese/milk mix.

Pour spaghetti sauce over sausage & peppers.  Stir until blended.  Pour 1/2 cup of water into the spaghetti sauce jar, close the lid, and shake.  Pour over spaghetti sauce/peppers/sausage & add in oregano.

Spread about 1/3 of the sausage mixture into the bottom of a 13x9 baking dish.

Now let’s layer…

3 noodles

1/2 of the cream cheese mix

3 noodles

1/2 the remaining sausage mix

3 noodles

remaining cream cheese mix

remaining noodles

remaining sausage mix

reserved cheese {mozzarella & parmesan mix}

Cover baking dish with foil {sprayed with cooking spray so that the cheese doesn’t stick!!!}  Bake for 350 for about 45 minutes and remove from oven.

Let it stand for about 15 minutes before cutting!!  Serve & ENJOY…because you will!!

 

What a DELICIOUS variation on the regular ol’ lasagna we all know and love!  This was SO dang good, y’all!!  This will definitely be making many more appearances at the dinner table…and it’s the perfect dish to take to friends, too!!  LOVE IT!!!!

Mangia!