Almost Lasagna (Crock Pot)

[Liz]

Somebody asked me to post this:

Almost Lasagna (Crock Pot)

1 box rotini, ziti or other pasta
2 jars (28 oz) pasta sauce (one with tomato chunks)
1 egg
1/2 pound ground beef, 1/2 pound sausage
2 Tbsp olive oil (to use to pre cook pasta al dente)
1 c parmesan cheese
1/2 c Italian bread crumbs
1 bag mozzarella cheese

Beat together:
1 container (16-20 oz) ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 c parmesan cheese
1 1/2 tsp parsley flakes
dash of salt & pepper

Directions:
Line or grease crock pot.
Brown and drain meat.
Mix: pasta, pasta sauce, meat, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, 1 egg, 1/2 bag mozarella. Sprinkle with garlic powder.
Pour 1/2 of pasta/sauce/meat mixture into crock pot
Spread entire ricotta mixture over 1st layer of pasta
Cover with remaining pasta mixture and top with remaining mozarella cheese

Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours

[Gentleladybear]

Liz this was a great dish at the potluck dinner last night. Think we all enjoyed the "almost" lasagna.

[mitch5252]

..

Liz, it sounds wonderful. But could you explain the olive oil ingredient/comment?

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[Barbzeee]

Mitch I've heard of a lot of people putting oil on the pasta... while cookin... that I've never done..as with adding oil to the water while cooking the sauce would just roll off NOt Italian.....but hey.. if it works for this dish... and that's what she did...who am I to say...OH NO

Ya learn something different every day...


Oh Liz... egg in with the meat too ??? just curious...

And yes, I'm a true liner believer...


Sounds yummy..and simple....

God Bless
Zeee

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Delicious and even better the second day. Plus, Liz those liners for your crock pot are the best. Glad I saw them being used.

[mitch5252]

That was basically my question - is the pasta parboiled to al dente. I thought maybe, somehow, it was just cooked/sauteed in the olive oil, which I didn't quite grasp...

I don't put oil in my boiling water for pasta - don't want the sauce to be sliding off!

Zee, when you make lasagna or manicotti, don't you put egg in the ricotta?

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[Gentleladybear]

Olive oil is used so the pasta doesn't stick together. I always use it when cooking pasta. Not the italian style zee? So does your pasta stick together?

[Liz]

Thanks Nan, for defending me. That's why I put oil in the water too. But hey, I got this recipe off the internet and that's what it said. Yes, I put 1 egg in the meat/breadcrumb mixture and 2 in the ricotta mix, 'cause that's what it said to do. Must be ok, since everybody liked it. I made this at the 2007 FL gtg too. That time I didn't cook the pasta first and thought it was kind of dry, sooo....That's my story and I'm sticking to it (no oil added)!

ps. No one could wait 4-6 hours to eat, and it seemed to be done in 3...probably because the pasta was pre-cooked.

[oregontocal]

Sounds like something to try REAL soon, as much as I love lasagna.

[Barbzeee]

Yes, Mitch ! Always put eggs in with the ricotta cheese and cheese and parsley makes it rich and creamy..

Liz, yes it was very good I remember cause I asked ya then... Hey and when someone else is cookin for ya. Ya know it's always gonna be a gooder (PA dutch term)...So I ain't a fussin' no ma'am not me... I just wish I was there..cause I sure could use some good laughs...

And as for the Liners for the Crock pot...as soon as they came on the Market...this gal had hers..cause ya all know how I love my Crock Pot...gosh I think I might even have it bronzed on my Tomb Stone...hahahahaha...


Ok...now I'm a gonna tuck in for the night... actually have to make room for me self as the critters have got their spots....Gawd it's tough here..cold and no room on the bed.... especially since the electric blanket is on.... wooooooo hoooooooo here I come


God Bless Sleep Tight and Don't let the Bed bugs bite cha

Zeee

[Barbzeee]

Nan, Sorry to say...but my Pasta doesn't stick together....LOL... and No OIL... cause I want every bit of sauce to be on that noodle..!!!!

Maybe if ya have enough water boiling and a good amount of salt in the water and stir it up... it won't stick...

And did I show ya my gadget for cooking pasta..... the Fasta Pasta cooker.. Micro wave that baby.. and always get good al dente... Hubby can't ruin it..

In fact no fuss no muss...but clue ... put some salt in the water too.... Yucko without salt....


Ok... I'm done for the night ..took all my meds and I'm ducking under...

Toodles..

God Bless
Zeee

[Ladyhawk]

I'd like to try this on the weekend. I have a crockpot at home, but don't have one for the RV yet. Do you use a smaller pot for your RVs or stick with the usual size?

[Barbzeee]

Hey Amy, I use what I normally use... as it's our home away from home.. and make sure you use Liners...makes a big difference for clean up .. in the Rig...and at home too.. Lots of recipes to check over and if ya want to try your hands at bread making Mitch put up an easy one to make ..No kneading...

You've got a lot of selections of goodies to try... and they are all worth it too


God Bless and Enjoy

Zeee

[Ladyhawk]

Between the lasagna and the oreo cream cheese balls, this should be a very happy weekend.

[AlmostThere]

I have not checked out my grocery store for the liners. Are they a "one size fits all" or do they come on sizes. I recently bought a 2 1/2 qt crockpot and would like one to fit it when I use it in my MH.