For variation, add layers of black beans and frozen cut corn from your garden, and replace the pasta with corn tortillas to make an Enchilada Casserole.
2 tsp. Savory Herb Mix (see recipe)
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. red chile powder or smoked chipotle chile powder
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. sausage
4 cups Oregano & Garlic Tomato Sauce (see recipe)
15 oz. container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups Jack cheese, grated, divided
2 cups Queso Blanco Mexican cheese, grated or crumbled, divided
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
4 oz. can green chiles, chopped
12 lasagna noodles, uncooked
Preheat the oven to 375ºF. In a small bowl combine the savory spice mix, cumin and chile powder. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, sauté the beef and sausage, seasoning with 1 teaspoon of the spice mix. Add the tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, 1/2 cup Jack cheese, 1 cup Mexican cheese, cilantro, and green chiles, mixing well to blend. In a medium bowl, mix the remaining Jack and Mexican cheese, gently tossing to blend. In the bottom of a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of the tomato meat sauce. Place 3 noodles in the bottom of the dish and cover with one-third of the ricotta mixture, 3/4 cup cheese mixture, and 1/4 teaspoon of the spice mix. Lightly cover with sauce. Repeat the layering of 3 noodles, 3/4 cup cheese mixture, and 1/4 teaspoon spice mix, lightly covering with sauce for a total of 4 noodle layers. End with the sauce and top with the remaining cheese mixture. Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve immediately or let stand for 30 minutes until cool and set. Seal and freeze for later use.
Serves 8 or makes 2 meals of 4 servings each.
TIP: For added convenience, vacuum seal bulk cheese in an extra-long, custom sized Seal-a-Meal® bag. Allow approximately 1-inch of space for each time the bag will be opened and re-sealed. To use, cut the bag open along sealed edge, remove the desired portion of cheese and reseal the bag.