Recipe: Lasagna with Turkey Sausage

This is a great family recipe, and fairly easy to assemble. It also goes a long way. In honor of the new First Family I present to you Ina Garten's version of lasagna. Ta-da.

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped yellow onion (1 onion)

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 1/2 pounds sweet Italian turkey sausage, casings removed

1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided

1/3 chopped fresh basil leaves

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 pound lasagna noodles

15 ounces ricotta cheese

3-4 ounces creamy goat cheese, crumbled

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling

1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

1 pound mozzarella, thinly sliced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Heat the olive oil in a large (10-to 12-inch) skillet. Add the onion and cook for five minutes over medium-low heat, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the sausage and cook over medium-low heat, breaking it up with the fork, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, the basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for about 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened.

Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with the hottest tap water. Add the noodles and allow them to sit in the water for 20 minutes. Drain.

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, goat cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, the egg, the remaining three tablespoons of parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.

Ladle 1/3 of the sauce into a 9 x 12 x 2-inch rectangular baking dish, spreading the sauce over the bottom of the dish. Then add the layers as follows: half the pasta, half the mozzarella, half the ricotta, and one third of the sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling.

Credit: INA GARTEN BARFOOT CONTESSA FAMILY STYLE: EASY IDEAS THAT MAKE EVERYONE FEEL LIKE A FAMILY. (Clarkson Potter; 2002) Photography (image above included) taken by Maura McEvoy