Each month, Northeast Ohio Bloggers share their favorite tried and true recipes. Here’s January’s pick from entrees, appetizers, side dishes to deserts.
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Also, the December 2021 picks!
January
Gnocchi Lasagna Bake (Serves 6)
By Abby Thome, Northeast Ohio Parent blogger “The Thome Home”
Colder temperatures roll in, and immediately I gravitate to comforting meals for my family. Lasagna is one of the top-requested recipes for this season, and I was determined to find a way to simplify this dish so it can be made in advance and put together in a snap.
Skip boiling pasta sheets, and put everything together in one large skillet. Layers of ground beef and Italian sausage, marinara, BelGioioso Mozzarella and ricotta bake to a bubbly cheesy masterpiece. All of the comforting flavors of lasagna, made easier.
1 lb. ground beef
1 lb. mild Italian sausage
1 small onion, diced
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cup ricotta cheese
1 lemon, zest and juice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
8 oz. BelGioioso mozzarella
2 cup Shredded
mozzarella cheese
28 oz. Marinara Sauce
2 (9 oz.) Heinen’s Gnocchi
Mild Italian sausage, ground
Dried oregano
To assemble this Gnocchi Lasagna Bake, you can use a cast iron casserole dish as shown in images, or a 9” x 13” baking dish.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a separate pan or Dutch oven, on medium-high heat, sauté the diced onion with olive oil until translucent.
Add in the ground beef, Italian sausage, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning, mixing well so both meats evenly combine. Continue to cook on medium-high heat until meat is brown and cooked through.
While the meat is cooking, grab a small bowl and stir together the ricotta cheese, lemon zest and juice, seasoning and parsley – set to the side.
Once the meat is done cooking, it is time to assemble.
Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of your dish.
Spread half of the meat mixture on top.
Dollop rounds of Ricotta over the meat.
Break apart pieces of the mozzarella log and sporadically place, along with a good sprinkle of mozzarella.
Add one package of Gnocchi over the cheeses.
Pour on another thin layer of marinara sauce.
Repeat layering meat, cheeses and second batch of gnocchi, finishing with the cheeses. Sprinkle top with oregano.
Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.