Spinach Lasagna

I'd like to share a recipe with ya'll! This is a hit with the family. We usually will make this about once every few weeks and feeds a family of 5. Due to having 3 children 9 and younger, we'll usually have leftovers for lunch the next day. Give this one a try and let me know what you think!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 lb. mild Italian ground sausage
• 1 – 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree with Basil
• 1 – 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 1-2 TBS. parsley
• lasagna noodles
• 1 – 10 oz. bag of spinach leaves
• 15 oz. ricotta cheese
• 3 cups grated 3 cheese blend
• 1 egg, lightly beaten

Ingredients for the Meat Sauce

Ingredients for the Cheese Layer 

Prep/Baking Directions

• Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan
• Add the chopped onions and cook over medium heat until they’re translucent then add in the garlic and cook just until fragrant
• Add the sausage and brown the meat while breaking it up into small pieces
• Add the spinach leaves and cook until the leaves wilt down
  

• Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley
• Simmer uncovered over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes
• While the sauce is simmering, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package

• In a medium bowl combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup of the cheese, and an egg
• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Spoon some of the sauce into a 9×12 in. baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom of the dish
• Next, place a layer of 1/2 the noodles on top of the sauce
• Spoon 1/2 of the ricotta mixture on top of that
• Sprinkle some cheese next
• Top the cheese with another 1/3 of the sauce
• Continue to layer until you use all of the meat sauce/cheeses
• Your last layer will have the rest of the sauce evenly on top and sprinkle with the last bit of shredded cheese
• Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling

Before Going into the Oven

The Finished Product!

I hope ya'll enjoy this yummy dish. Have any yummy lasagna recipes you use? Leave a comment or link to the recipe. I love swapping ideas and recipes! Make sure you leave credit to the author or creator of the recipe you share.

Days of Thankfulness #14

After having a rough day, let's be honest, a rough week. I struggled hard to find something to be thankful for. It took most of the day until all of a sudden it hit me. I had my children and 2 of the neighborhood kids running around and playing in my home. As I'm getting supper started, thinking of what my next blog would be about, and straightening up the kitchen, children are playing and laughing with each other. They're playing school, then a squeal of laughter from a child. I stopped and smiled to myself. I took a moment to exhale and just enjoyed the joyful sounds of the kiddos playing and running in and out of the back door. Watching Daisy, our dog, run back and forth playing with them too. Hearing them come to me and asking for a drink of water or milk, feeling little arms wrapped around my leg saying, "Thank you Ms. Stephanie," and watching God's gift to me in that moment reminded me I had so much to be thankful for. My children's friends feel safe and comfortable enough to come over and play. To ask me for a drink. To give me hugs and share their precious smiles with me.

To my children and the neighborhood kids that came over to play, thank you. Thank you for making me stop and notice the joy. Thank you for helping my day become so much better. I'm grateful for your kindness and joyfulness.

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Days of Thankfulness #13

Some days it’s hard to see the beauty of the world around you. It’s hard to think about a positive thing in your life. Today is one of those days. So many thoughts swimming in my mind. Even with my negative thoughts this morning, I finally figured out what I’m thankful for:The mornings with my children.

Every morning, I wake up early to get my coffee and a moment to get myself together before the day starts. I see what’s needing to be done during day and get the weather report. I get backpacks and lunches ready. Some mornings I get my grocery list and coupons ready to go. Others, I get projects, homework, and anything else the kiddos need ready to go before school. As the morning goes on, one child will come down the stairs looking for me, smiles and hugs me. I admit, sometimes I don’t take the time to just enjoy that hug. I get the breakfast started and keep going about my morning. As I wake up the other children, I’m getting clothes and socks and shoes gathered up. Breakfast gets eaten, children dressed, teeth brushed, and the we’re ushered out of the door to head to school. I kiss the bigs and wish them a great day and an “I love you!” as they walk to their school, then I get the little one in the van and drop her off at her classroom. Again it’s a kiss, a hug, and “I love you!’ Then I head off to whatever errand or back home to do chores. It’s a routine.

This morning, I forced myself to stop. I stopped whatever I was doing to cherish the beaming smiles shooting at me when they came down the stairs. I cherished the hugs and let them linger a little longer before getting to the next step. We laughed and talked to each other as I helped them get dressed, tied their shoes, and brushed hair. I forced my thoughts to just focus on my time with my children. I realized that I’m a very lucky woman to be able to have the mornings with them. I know many other parents aren’t able to have these mornings. I know that tomorrow isn’t promised, so I could lose these precious moments with them. Even on the chaotic mornings, I’m grateful for them. The hugs, the I love yous, the what’s for breakfast?, the kisses goodbye, and everything that goes with it. I miss them when they’re gone and look forward to the time they come home. I’m truly a Blessed woman to have these 3 children to care for every morning.

Days of Thankfulness #12

Today I’m thankful for my grandparents. I am Blessed to have known both sets of grandparents and have such precious memories of them. My Nana is still here with us and for that I’m grateful. My grandparents on my Momma’s side are passed, but I think of them daily. My memories of them are fond and keep my heart full. I remember driving for hours to see them for holidays and random visits. My Memaw would always wait up for us as we strolled in the wee early morning hours with a smile on her face. She’d always have my favorite oatmeal and peanut patties. My granddaddy had longhorns hung above the fireplace and all us grandchildren would take turns shooting a rubberband to hook the horns. They had a rotary phone hung on the wall with a cord that would stretch the whole entire house. One of my favorite times spent with my Memaw would be to sit on the potty while she did her hair and we’d talk about anything. I miss them so much, and always wonder if I’m making them proud. I so wish they could’ve met my children, but I know that we’ll all be together again one day in Heaven.

My grandparents on my Daddy’s side plays(ed) a big role in my life as well. My Papa had the best laugh. He’d always share his candy with me. He’d hide them in the couch cushion and sneak some as he’d watch TV. He’d take me treasure hunting with him and we’d sit at the bar and count out the pennies and other coins we found to roll and take to the bank. When I grew into my teens, I’d go over on Sundays to have lunch with them. Papa and I would go to the local market and grab some tomatoes and onions while Nana would cook up some beans and cornbread. Thank God my Nana is still here with us. We’ve stayed close to each other even though I’ve moved all over the country. She and I talk through our family history, cook with each other, chat over coffee. My children have been Blessed to know her as well. She loves them and looks forward to seeing them. Nana calls and checks on us several times during the week. I’m very excited to get back home with my family for many reasons, but this year, my Nana said she wanted to bake desserts with me for the Thanksgiving Dinner. I looking forward to being back in the kitchen with Nana.

To my grandparents, I love you. You’ve given me so much love and guidance. Ya’ll have given me such fond memories and laughter. I’m so very grateful to God for allowing me to know and love you. I continue to share your memories with my children. Thank you Granddaddy, Memaw, Papa, and Nana for showing me love, guidance, and the importance of family.

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Days of Thankfulness #11

Today I’m grateful for the heater in my home and van. It’s cold outside! Last night and this morning the temps dropped to it’s lowest here in El Paso, 31 was the low. I’m not complaining too much because thank goodness, no snow and wind. I’m grateful for my home that has heat in it to keep our animals, children, and us warm. I’m grateful for the heat in my van, so I don’t have to be cold while driving the pets to their comprehensive exam across town. I know how fortunate I am to have the warmth around me for there are so many who don’t have it. As I sit here in my warm home while it’s cold outside, I’m reminded of how Blessed I am to have it.

Days of Thankfulness #10

Today is Veterans Day, so of course, I’m thankful for the men and women who stepped up and sacrificed so much for our country. These veterans stepped up and vowed to defend our Nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. These brave men and women sacrificed their times with their families, missing birthdays, anniversaries, births, school plays, first tooth lost, and so much more for a Nation that seems to want to trash it and throw it all away. These amazing men and women signed the dotted line to keep the enemies who want to destroy our freedoms, our rights, our whole way of living on their turf and not ours. We have people in the government who seems hell bent on helping destroy our nation from within, but these amazing men and women in uniform continue to serve our nation.

I’ve been blessed to know many veterans and have family members who’ve served. These people have shown me just how important it is to do what we can to help and protect our veterans as well. These brave men and woman sacrifice so much to help keep our nation safe and freedoms intact. Sure there’s a few bad apples in the bunch, but for the 98% of our veterans who’ve served, they deserve our respect. Think about it, are you willing to give up family time, birthdays, anniversaries, and more to help serve your nation? Are you willing to go overseas for months at a time to make sure you and your soldiers have what you need to keep the bad guys over there and not here? Are you willing to give up sleeping in your bed at night knowing you’re safe? Are you willing to give up the rights to protest? The rights to freedom of religions? The right to complain about the government vocally? If not, then stop being so disrespectful and hateful to the veterans. Whatever your political views are, don’t take it out on the men and women who’ve sacrificed and signed the dotted line to help protect you and the country you live in, because you aren’t willing to do it.

Days of Thankfulness #9

I’m grateful for my children. All 3 of them. They’ve all truly taught me what it means to have unconditional love, patience, and a fear that I’ve never felt before. Before having children of my own, I never truly knew what it meant to love a person so much that you’d give your life up without blinking. No questions asked, my life for theirs. I prayed for each of my children before they were growing in my body. The moment I knew they were on the way, I thanked God. I did everything in my power to make sure I was being healthy, so their little bodies could grow. My whole mindset changed. This is when my anxiety kicked in. I never really experienced anxiety until my first born was in my arms. I wasn’t just my life I was responsible for, I was now responsible for a tiny little human. This human is now going to depend on me for EVERYTHING! Sustaining their lives depended on me and my decisions. Am I going to be a good mom? Will my babies know just how much I love them? Would I make the right choices? What if I picked a toy or food that would hurt them? What if I didn’t see a car coming and we got hit? What if I looked away and couldn’t see or hear them if they needed help? Would I be able to protect them during the night if someone broke in? I can’t hear without my hearing aids, so nighttime was hard on me. I gladly endured ear aches and lost sleep due to not being able to take out my hearing aids in case they needed me during the night. My fear of bridges and water intensified due to all the what ifs. As they grew into school age, a whole new set of fears set in. How safe are they going to be? Would they be protected in danger? Are they going to be bullied? Are they going to be the bully? Did I prepare them enough for school? Will I be able to help them through the homework? Can I console them through the pains of growing up?

Through the 9 years of being on this parenting roller coaster, I’ve learned so much about myself. I learned just how much patience I can have when the no good, horrible, very bad days pop up. I learned just how much peace I can have when the feel the tiny little arms wrap around my leg and hearing, “I love you mommy.” I learned just how much it hurts to watch my heart walk off to school, knowing I wouldn’t be able to protect them from the hurt they may experience. I learned just how nothing else in the world matters when you’re sitting in the middle of the kitchen with a crying child in your lap because they miss their Mimi, Poppy, Aubree, or other family member. I learned just how frustrated angry you can be at a choice child makes. I learned that it’s OK to walk away for just a moment to cool down and come back to the situation. I learned that love is unconditional between a child and a parent when they continue to come to you and hug your neck, and tell you they love you, even when you had to discipline them just 10 minutes earlier. As a person I’ve grown. I’ve learned just how rewarding being a mother can be. I learned just how much I look forward to them returning home after letting them spread their wings a little bit. As much as I love to have them tucked up underneath me, even though they can make me crazy, rather than allow them to go out into the big ol’ world, I know I have to let them slowly assert their independence. I have to allow them to experience and learn from those experiences. I’ll be their safety net for their whole lives. I’ll allow them to fly, to learn, to grow as amazing people, but they’ll always know that as long as I draw breath on this Earth, I’ll be here to catch them and help them through it.

To my beautiful babies, I love you. You are my whole reason for being. You shine a light in my world. You taught me so much. Throughout all the good, the bad, the ugly I’ll always be here. I’ll be waiting and cherishing every hug, kiss, snuggle, and everything else you have to give me. No matter how bad things can get, I’ll be there to help you. I love you more than words can say.