Lasagna with Ricotta - - Lasagne Con la Ricotta

...Immigrant families brought it with them when they arrived in the new world, and here's a New World version drawn from "Preserving Our Italian Heritage," a wonderful collection of recipes assembled by Rose Marie Boniello for the Grand Lodge of Florida, Order Sons of Italy. The recipe is by Katie Copuzelo. I thank them for giving me permission to print it.

Once you have assembled the ingredients, heat the oil in a pot, add the pork, season it with salt and pepper, and brown the meat thoroughly on all sides. Remove the meat to a platter, leaving the drippings in the pot. Add the onion, garlic, and ground beef, season the mixture with salt and pepper, and cook until the beef is well browned. Add the tomato puree, tomato paste, water, sugar, and baking soda. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pork and continue simmering for an hour, or until the pork is fork-tender.

Next, see to the ricotta filling: Combine the ricotta with the cheese and the parsley, season the mixture to taste, and set it aside.

Boil the lasagna a few sheets at a time in lightly salted water until they are al dente, remove them with a strainer, and drain them; while they're cooking preheat your oven to 375 F (180 C). Coat the bottom of a baking dish with a half cup of sauce, put down a layer of pasta and a layer of ricotta, and continue alternating the pasta with sauce and ricotta. Cover the last layer of pasta with sauce and mozzarella slices. Serve the pork as a second course.

Comments: You can also make tiny meatballs, drop them in the sauce, and layer them in the lasagna.