INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms (optional)
2 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons oil
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons parsley
Lasagna noodles, cooked
1/4 teaspoon basil
1 large jar spaghetti sauce (no meat)
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
1 10-ounce package frozen spinach, thawed, chopped and well drained
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
DIRECTIONS
Sauté mushrooms, carrots and onion in oil until tender. Combine ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley and basil. Stir well and set aside. Combine sauce and paste. Add a little water if sauce is too thick.
Place half of the sauce in a 9×13-inch dish. Arrange noodles on top of sauce. Spread vegetable mixture over noodles. Spoon cheese mixture over vegetable mix. Add another layer of noodles over that mixture. Top with chopped tomatoes and spinach, then add a final layer of noodles. Top with remaining sauce mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake an additional 15 minutes.
This recipe was found in Traditions A Book of Favorite Recipes printed by Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Basilica as a fundraiser.
A reflection by Father James Korda, retired diocesan priest and host of the Wineskins radio show.
One layer at a time. Not only is that how the culinary masterpiece known as “lasagna” is created, but it can also serve as a symbol for how one builds upon life’s spiritual journey. Like lasagna, with its layered perfection, comforting warmth and various fillings, similar layers or stages mark one’s deepening relationship with God.
With both, there is variety within, fillings that go beyond the range or limits of the typical red sauce and meat. My personal favorite happens to be the vegetable lasagna created by the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. With noodles so thin and light you could practically see through them and ingredients so simple and humble you always crave more, I keep some in my freezer for those nights when I want to experience real comfort food.
Mastering the step-by-step guide to this culinary perfection comes with its missteps, though. The art of making classic lasagna from scratch is often as difficult as understanding the layers of our soul, our choices and our emotions. And as the essence of lasagna lies in its beautifully layered construction, each layer playing a crucial role in creating a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, we, too, build our lives with each layer representing our sacred journey to something greater.
My favorite lasagna is not just a dish; it’s a blank canvas for culinary creativity, and one that has endless possibilities. I remember creating one for a fundraising dinner party, crafting a lasagna with artichoke hearts and a bechamel sauce—a big hit despite its unconventional ingredients.
It is a likely comparison—lasagna and life—each with its many layers of complexity and variety. The components within—the noodles, the filling, the topping—mirror the stages of spiritual development. They can be both comforting, like the luscious cheese and warm sauce, or challenging, like the hard meats or vegetables. But with each layer comes growth and a deeper knowledge of what brings us the greatest comfort. Remember, it’s all about layers. All are needed, even the tough ones, to create a whole and satisfying life.
