Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh ricotta cheese
  • 8 ounces grated Provolone cheese
  • 8 ounces grated Mozzarella cheese
  • 8 ounces grated Romano cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tablespoon chiffonade fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 recipe Turkey Sausage Red Gravy (recipe follows)
  • 1/2 pound grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1 package dried lasagna noodles
  • Chopped parsley, for garnish
  • Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 1999
  • 2 1/2 pounds turkey meat, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped garlic
  • 6 teaspoons chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cayenne
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 1999
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds Turkey Sausage (see recipe from above)
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups finely chopped onions
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • Pinch crushed red pepper
  • 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta, Provolone, Mozzarella, Romano, egg, milk, basil and garlic.
  • Mix well.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • To assemble: Spread 2 1/2 cups of the meat sauce on the bottom of the pan.
  • Sprinkle 1/4 of the grated cheese over the sauce.
  • Cover the cheese with 1/4 of the noodles.
  • Spread 1/4 of the cheese filling evenly over the noodles.
  • Repeat the above process with the remaining ingredients, topping the lasagna with the remaining sauce.
  • Place in the oven and bake until bubbly and golden, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Remove from the oven and cool for 10 minutes before serving.
  • Slice and serve.
  • Garnish with parsley.
  • Prepare the smoker.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the turkey.
  • In a small mixing bowl, combine the remaining ingredients together.
  • Mix well.
  • Toss the turkey with the seasoning blend and mix well.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  • Grind the meat twice in a meat grinder fitted with a 1/2-inch die.
  • A food processor could also be used to grind the meat.
  • Stuff half of the mixture into 1 1/2-inch casings, forming 6-inch links.
  • Form the remaining into 3 (1/2 pound) patties.
  • You can either use the sausage fresh or smoke the sausage.
  • For the smoked sausage: Place the sausage in the smoker and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Yield: about 2 3/4 pounds
  • In a large nonreactive saucepan, over medium heat, add the oil.
  • Add the turkey sausage.
  • Season with salt and pepper and mix well.
  • Brown for 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the onions, celery, and carrots.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft.
  • Add the garlic and tomatoes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Whisk the tomato paste with the stock and add to the tomatoes.
  • Add the thyme, bay leaves, oregano, basil and red pepper.
  • Mix well.
  • Bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 2 hours.
  • Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed.
  • During the last 30 minutes or cooking, reseason with salt and pepper and stir in the cheese.
  • Remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes before using.
  • Yield: about 1 1/2 to 2 quarts