love yourself this much...

Diligence has paid off this week.  Over the course of 2 days, I have managed to create 6 yummy meals for the freezer.  Really, one of my most favorite things is NOT having to cook, and furthermore, not having to come up with the IDEA of what to cook.

Creating 3 pans of Chicken with White Sauce in Jumbo shells and 3 pans of Rock-n-Roll lasagna...I am tooting my own horn just a little.

Because I think I'm so smooth in the kitchen (and with this html stuff...like the new look?) I'd like to share my " 1 hour = lasagna for 4 x 3 ".



Here's what you'll need:
3 8x8 or similar sized pans (ones you can freeze in)
2 lbs of ground beef (substitute for veggies or ground turkey to suit your dietary choices)
1 box of lasagna noodles (usually 18 come in a box...but check first)
3 small-medium blocks of your favorite cheeses (moz, parm, romano...even colby)
2.5 regular size jars of your favorite pasta sauce (or at least one your kids will eat)
*feel free to add in other ingredients or keep it simple

Directions:
Brown up the 2 lbs of beef while boiling the noodles in a large pot.  I like to boil the noodles to "al dente" which is just under 10 minutes.
When beef is browned, set aside.  When noodles are done, poor off the water, rinse a little in cold and leave them in their pan with just a little water (so they don't stick...add a little EVOO if you like).
Grate ALL the cheese.  Pour the sauce into a bowl.
Make jelly rolls!  Lay noodle flat, top with sauce, meat, cheese...roll in thirds.  See photos.
Arrange in pan (pack 'em tight).  Top with remaining sauce and cheese.
Cover and freeze.

Seriously, thats it.  1 hour, with a little practice and NO interruptions.

If you can love yourself enough to get the process started...you will be patting yourself on the back when you pull them out of the freezer ready to go.

As far as cooking directions.  You can take it out the night before and put it in the fridge (but who remembers that).  I usually grab them about 3:30pm (when I remember that I'm required to feed my family EVERY night), place the frozen meal (covered with foil) in the oven and cook at 350 degrees for 1.5 - 2 hours.  When the sides start bubbling, and you can stick your finger in a warm middle...GOOD TO GO!

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