A guest post written by Hollie Mealy for Happy Healthy Caregiver
Along with a family recipe, there is usually a story or memory. Food to me evokes an emotional response. I’m reminded of where I last ate that particular meal or with whom I shared it. I remember the warm belly hug I got when smelling and eating the comforting, home-cooked meal. When I think of my Dad’s lasagna, I get all the warm fuzzy feelings of being in my childhood home with my family. Our table was filled, and our stories were loud and usually funny. There were times when there were more unpleasant conversations surrounding both my Dad’s and sister’s medical needs. Food got us through. It provided relief.
My Memory Behind My Family’s Lasagna Recipe
The story of my family’s Lasagna recipe starts with a mediocre, mid-to-end-of-the-pack runner: yours truly. I have been a runner (off and on) since 8th grade. When I first started in track and cross country, it was to be part of a team and hang out with my friends. Now, it is mostly so I can eat carbs and desserts!
I have a lot of fond memories of High School cross country team meals the night before a race. We would meet at a teammate’s house after practice and chow down on pasta and bread. I especially enjoyed having the meal at my house. My Dad would cook his secret-ingredient lasagna recipe for everyone, and it was always a hit. He would sit back and enjoy his piece while everyone happily carb-loaded. He and I were both quiet and not the outgoing ones in social situations always. This team meal provided a way for me to “host” and come out of my shell a bit. I am so thankful my Dad (and Mom!) were proud/happy to do this for me/my team!
I have taken their love of cooking and baking for friends/family and those in need and turned it into a Nonprofit that I’m proud to say has provided relief to over 3,000 Caregivers since 2019. I believe it is the ultimate way to honor my Dad’s passion for cooking, food/carb obsession, and his giving spirit, and my Mom’s loving role as his Caregiver before he passed away from brain cancer in 2012.
So…..I know you are dying to know his secret ingredient. He would do all the normal layers of noodles, cheese/ricotta mixture, and meat sauce. He also added layers of….pepperoni! My favorite pizza topping inside an already delicious, cheesy, noodle-y lasagna. What could be better?!
I truly hope this great “relief-filled” recipe hugs your belly tight and provides comfort. My ultimate wish is that you share it with all the caregivers & patients in YOUR life! Spread the warm fuzzies! Help “replenish the tanks” of those who have the most important job: Caregiving.
Lasagna with Pepperonis Recipe
Prep: 30 minutes | Cook: 2 h 30 min | Ready: 3 h 15 min
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
1 lb. sweet Italian Sausage
1 lb ground turkey
2/3 cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 oz) cans canned tomato sauce
2 Tbls white sugar
1 hefty dash Dried Oregano
1 hefty dash Dried Basil
1 hefty pinch coarse salt
1 small pinch ground black pepper
4 Tbls chopped fresh parsley
Cheese Mixture
8 oz Ricotta cheese (More or less based on preference)
1 egg
1/2 tsp salt
Topping
1 lb. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 package Pepperoni!
Pasta
16 cooked and drained lasagna noodles (no-boil noodles not preferred for this recipe!)
Directions
- In a big saucepan with a lid over medium-high heat, brown sausage, and turkey. Add onion and cook until the onion begins to soften. Add garlic and cook over medium heat until garlic is fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce. Season with sugar, Basil, Oregano, Salt, and Pepper. Simmer, covered for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Preheat oven to 375 degrees when the sauce is almost done.
- Bring a large stockpot of lightly salted water to boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water according to package directions. Drain noodles and rinse well with cold water.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with beaten egg & salt.
- To assemble: lay 4 noodles with the ribbons overlapping, so the entire bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish is covered. Scoop meat sauce (be generous) onto noodles and spread evenly. Spread with 1/3rd of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/3 Pepperonis, 1/3 Mozzarella, 1/3 Parmesan. Lay 4 noodles on top of this layer overlapping the noodle edges. Repeat layers (4 total). For the 4th, top layer; cover in remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with foil: To prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Hollie Mealy is the Founder and President of The Right Relief Inc., a nonprofit based in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. She has set a goal to make 5,475 Relief-filled meals (belly hugs!) for Caregivers who don’t have the time or energy to cook for themselves after long days of appointments and providing care.
