Living off campus is a bittersweet experience.
For once in your college career you may have your first single and do not have worry about your stuff crossing the invisible divide to your roommate’s side, the living room may actually be clean and is a common place to hang out and you may be cooking for yourself.
This is my first year in a house and I took the plunge and declined to buy a meal plan.
I cooked for myself all summer, so why would the school year be any different?
I didn’t realize at the time that summertime offers ample time to shop, prepare, cook and eat.
All of those activities during the school year become a burden if you don’t plan ahead, but by cooking a meal in bulk and freezing the leftovers it is possible to be a student and eat well.
The original recipe I intended to share with you was a lasagna recipe supposedly served in the White House. (Check it out here: today.msnbc.msn.com/id/43264955/ns/today-food/t/eat-obama-try-white-house-turkey-lasagna). It is fairly simple, slightly time-consuming, and it results in many meals to reheat and serve in a pinch.
When I discovered lasagna can be cooked in the microwave, my curiosity got the best of me and I Googled various microwaveable lasagna recipes.
Here is a three-bowl recipe that can also be altered for our vegetarian friends.
Prep time: ~15 min.
Cook time: ~45 min.
Ingredients:
• ½ lb ground turkey/beef/chicken
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1tbsp oregano
• 1 tbsp. basil
• 1 jar spaghetti sauce
• 8 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 2.5 C mozzarella cheese
• ¼ C parmesan cheese
• 1.5 C ricotta or cottage cheese
Optional: Make it vegetarian! Use 1-2 C spinach or your choice of veggies to replace the meat.
Directions:
1. On a high setting in microwaveable bowl, crumble ground meat and heat until browned. 2-4 minutes, stirring once. Drain off grease.
2. While it is cooking, mix egg, ricotta and spices together in another bowl.
3. Stir the spaghetti sauce into the meat; add water if more moisture is needed.
4. In another dish (preferably oblong) pour ½ C sauce; then layer noodles, pouring ricotta mixture on top, sprinkle mozzarella, layer sauce and then begin the next layer.
5. On the final layer sprinkle remainder mozzarella/parmesan over sauce.
6. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and cook on high for 10 minutes.
7. Then lower the microwave setting to medium and continue to cook for 30 minutes.
8. When finished allow to cool and set for 10 minutes.
It may not be gourmet, but for those of you craving lasagna and living without an oven it can be a go-to recipe.
Add or subtract seasonings to taste and make the recipe your own.
Bon appétit!
