For an interesting take on lasagna, I decided to use penne noodles instead of lasagna noodles.  For the meat mixture, I chose ground turkey along with Italian sausage links. I’m actually more a fan of ground turkey than I am of ground beef.  It just feels healthier to me.  Plus, I like the taste.  You can serve this with a simple Caesar salad and garlic bread, and you have a complete meal.

Ingredients for Penne Lasagna

• 1 pound ground turkey

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage links

• 1 yellow onion

• 3 cloves garlic

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon pepper

• 1-1/2 teaspoons Sicilian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

• 1 26-ounce jar tomato basil marinara sauce

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan

• 2 cups mozzerella cheese

• 2 cups ricotta cheese

• 1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In large skillet, brown onion in olive oil and add garlic.  Add ground turkey and Italian sausage, along with the kosher salt and pepper to the skillet and cook until browned and crumbly. Drain the meat mixture and put back into the skillet. Next add the Sicilian seasoning, basil, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes.  Stir into the meat mixture and add the canned tomatoes and basil marinara sauce. Pour the grated parmesan into the meat sauce and let simmer for 30 minutes on medium heat until the sauce thickens.

Boil noodles as per package instructions.

Beat together the ricotta cheese and egg with a handheld mixer.

Once noodles are done, drain.  Spray a large baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and pour in half the noodles.  Top the noodles with half the ricotta, half the meat mixture and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.  Add the rest of the noodles, the rest of the ricotta and the other cup of mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle a little Sicilian seasoning over the top for a bit of color. Put in the oven to bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees.  If you put your lasagna dish together earlier in the day and set it in the fridge, you will want to bake it for at least 45 minutes, or until bubbling.

Ingredients for Ciabatta Garlic Bread

• 1 loaf ciabatta bread

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 2 cloves garlic

• 2 teaspoons Sicilian seasoning

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut bread in half lengthwise.  Melt butter.  Mince garlic.  Add the minced garlic and Sicilian seasoning to the melted butter.  Spread over both halves of the garlic bread.  Put the bread back together and wrap in foil.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Until next time, Kris