Description
Hauntingly Spicy Baked Ghostly Lasagna is a festive and flavorful twist on classic lasagna, featuring spicy Italian sausage, fiery marinara sauce, and a blend of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Decorated with black olive eyes and bell pepper mouth rings, this lasagna offers a fun, ghostly presentation perfect for Halloween or any spooky occasion. The layers of noodle, meat sauce, and cheese create a rich and satisfying meal with a comforting baked finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Base
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bottles (24 ounces each) spicy marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Decoration
- 1 cup sliced black olives for decoration
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into rings for decoration
- Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the lasagna later.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles as per package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Cook Sausage and Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles, and cook until browned. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, diced onion, and minced garlic. Sauté until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Make Meat Sauce: Pour in the spicy marinara sauce along with dried basil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend the flavors well.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with the egg. Mix thoroughly until smooth and evenly incorporated.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread a layer of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange three lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering process once more.
- Add Final Layers: Place the last three noodles on top, cover with remaining meat sauce, sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese, and finish with grated Parmesan cheese for a golden crust.
- Decorate Lasagna: Create ghostly faces on top by arranging sliced black olives as eyes and bell pepper rings as mouths for a spooky presentation.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld layers.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes to allow the cheese to become bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Garnish: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, herbal touch.
Notes
- Cooking noodles al dente prevents them from becoming too soft after baking.
- Simmering the sauce enhances the flavor and cooks out any raw garlic taste.
- Using spicy Italian sausage and crushed red pepper flakes adds a nice heat that balances with creamy cheeses.
- Decorations make the dish visually fun and suitable for themed occasions like Halloween.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps it set for easier slicing.
