Simply Irresistible Catering: Italian Sausage Lasagna

A few weeks ago, I told you about Simply Irresistible Catering and their Take 'n Bake meals. I finally had time to make the Italian Sausage Lasagna and it did not disappoint.

The lasagna is very tall in the pan and could easily feed 4 people if not more. This is the half portion that feeds 2 - 3 typically. I didn't have anything on the side with my first piece and was pretty full after. It's loaded with food.

It did take a bit longer in my oven than the required time, but it had been in my freezer for quite some time, so it could have been super frozen. I still took the cover off at the hour mark and then saw the edges browning up nicely in 45 minutes.

It started to get a bit dark around the edges when the middle still wasn't changing, so I did cover it with foil for the last 15 minutes I cooked it for. I left it in for another 10 minutes and pulled it out piping hot.

The top gets nice and crispy with a cheese and herb crust. This was fabulous and probably my favorite layer of the lasagna. I want to know her combination :)

There was plenty of Italian sausage, cheese and sauce in the layers, but not overwhelming and it held it's form. Sometimes lasagnas end up a little runny from too much sauce or cheese (too much cheese, I know - it's a sin I said that). But this lasagna was excellent.

Great flavors in the Italian Sausage too - not too spicy, just the right amount of spice.

I would recommend some garlic bread or steamed vegetable on the side if you wanted to make the pan stretch farther. And it warms up just great in the microwave and satisfies those late night cravings after a night of dancing and drinking at your friends' wedding!

For just $10 for the half pan, this is a steal! I got some Blue Apron meals sent to me in the last week and although the flavors are great, $20 a dinner (10 per person) is a bit much for my wallet. And I don't know where the products are from or who makes them. Using Simply Irresistible, I have met the owner and had a great conversation with her and know that her meals are made right here in her downtown Waukesha shop and made with love!

I highly recommend you check her out and try a meal. I only have the carrots left and have a pork tenderloin with those carrot's name on it for later this week. And then I'm going to have to restock from her selections :)

What a perfect, easy meal to make for your family now that kids are going back to school. Or you just want to have something delicious and not tear apart your kitchen to make it. Her meals are worth it folks!

Healthy Living Week 3

Week 3 has been a real battle. I tried hard to not let the mind win, but I'm in need of great support to get back on track. My back pain has been a set back and I'm trying to learn to deal with it, but it makes working out very difficult. I know there is some level of working out I can do and I just have to do it.

Plus not all weight loss happens from working out - you have to work on what you are putting in your body. 


I will say that my clothes are fitting a bit better, even though the weight loss isn't significant. Sometimes it's not all about the number on the scale, but for me, I have to keep that in mind so I keep trudging forward.

I did go to Chicago this past weekend for a friend's birthday and although I did allow myself to indulge, it could have turned out a lot worse.

One slice of deep dish (how can you not), some fried chicken (a little too indulgent) but a very healthy breakfast. I did limit my alcohol intake to help cut down on empty calories and we walked a lot.

All in all, the scale was only up .5 after the weekend so I was proud.

I made a wonderful lasagna for me and my guy on Monday night and it turned out scrumptious. Though it was a bit richer, I know every ingredient I put in it and used low-cal, low-fat when I could.

So my goal for this next week is to really get back on track and work my hardest to get to my goals. Small steps begin with the first step, so it's back to veggies and salads for lunch and portion control. 

 

Here is my best guess at how I made mine. I really just threw it together.

Throw It Together Lasagna
Sauce:
1 lb. Italian Sausage (Italian turkey sausage could have been used but the store was out)
1 jar Rinaldi Spaghetti sauce
3 tsp. minced garlic
1- 14. oz can diced tomatoes (drained)

Brown Italian sausage. Drain off the grease. Add the garlic, sauce and tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes. 

9 lasagna noodles, cooked
4 oz. finely chopped mushrooms
1 cup Italian cheese blend shredded cheese

Filling:
6 oz. onion and chive cream cheese (couldn't find a low fat option)
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 Tbsp. pesto (Classico brand was what I had at home)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup Italian cheese blend shredded cheese

1 tsp. onion powder
dash of salt
few cranks of pepper

Use a hand mixer to combine the filling together into a consistent mixture.

Put half the sauce into the bottom of a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan. Then lay down three of the noodles. Put half the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles and top with half the chopped mushrooms. Then put half the remaining sauce down. Add another layer of noodles, top with remaining cheese mixture and remaining mushrooms and add the final noodles for the top. Cover with sauce and remaining cup of cheese. Place in over at 350 for 45 minutes or until bubbly. Remove and let rest for 10 minutes. Serve with garlic bread.

It's even better the next day! I let my guy take some of the leftovers so he had lunch for work and his coworkers were jealous.