Freakin' Awesome Lasagna

Hello...today I am going to share with you my recipe for some amaaaaazing lasagna. This recipe is from Mi Estrella Favorita (my favorite star), Becky. She and I met in Spanish class at Ricks College a million years ago...she sat in front of me on the first day of class and laughed at my smart aleck remark and we've been great friends ever since.

Before the recipe, let me say welcome to Kristy, my first "follower"...I am thrilled to have you! I tried to leave a comment welcoming you on your blog but it is private!!!! I am not permitted!!! But I enjoy your comments on my sis in law Jenny's blog anyway!!! She is so cute to advertise for me!!! Feel free to send me any of your recipe favorites! I am always looking for new ones!

OK...now to the recipe...this stuff is awesome!!!

2 jars Prego traditional spaghetti sauce
12 lasagna noodles (these will go in four layers of three)
1 container part-skim Ricotta cheese
2:1 mozzarella/cheddar cheese ratio...I could give you amounts, but I just pile it on
1 pkg of pepperoni
1 lb ground beef, browned, seasoned, and drained (see spices below)

Spices for ground beef:
dash of garlic powder
1/8 tsp of onion powder
1/8 tsp of chili powder (yes, really)
1/8 tsp basil
1/8 tsp parsley flakes
1/8 tsp oregano

While browning ground beef, boil water and cook 12 lasagna noodles.

After ground beef is seasoned, browned, and drained, set aside.

Now you are going to layer in a 9 x 13 baking dish, prepped with cooking spray...
Layer one-Prego, just enough to spread and cover bottom of baking dish
Layer two-3 lasagna noodles, side by side
Layer three-teaspoon size blobs of ricotta (I usually do 12, like if you were baking cookies)
Layer four-seasoned, browned ground beef, drained
Layer five-pepperoni slices
Layer six-cheese mixture
Layer seven- 3 lasagna noodles, side by side
Press down all over lasagna now to make it dense so you can do more layers!!!
Layer eight-sauce, etc. (you are repeating layers 1-7 again, pressing it into pan periodically.

When baking dish is nearly full, cover with tin foil and bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees. About ten minutes before it is done, remove foil and top with cheese, then finish cooking.

YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stromboli

This yummy recipe was given to me years ago by one of my college roommates, Becky (mi estrella favorita!). This one is a fun one to make with the kids and they love it! There is lots of room for improvisation on this recipe...you can use your family's favorite pizza toppings in it!

1 loaf Rhode's frozen bread dough (thaw, but do not allow to rise)
1/2 tsp. yellow mustard
1 tsp. miracle whip
Parsley, oregano, and basil to taste
1 bottle of your favorite pizza or spaghetti sauce, warmed
Your favorite pizza toppings, such as: sliced pepperoni, cubed ham, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded cheddar cheese

Roll the pizza dough out into an OVAL shape (not round like a pizza). Leaving two inches or so all the way around the edges of the dough clean, spread the mayo and mustard on the dough. Season with parsley, oregano, and basil. Then pile on the pizza toppings however you like.

Bring up the sides of the dough to meet edges and pinch closed to seal (all toppings should be completely enclosed inside). Place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 15-25 minutes.

After baking, you can drizzle your favorite pizza or spaghetti sauce over the top or slice the stromboli up and dip it into sauce. YUM!