Description
Hauntingly Spicy Baked Ghostly Lasagna is a flavorful and festive Italian-inspired dish perfect for a spooky occasion. Made with spicy Italian sausage, zesty marinara sauce, layers of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella, and decorated with black olives and bell pepper rings, this lasagna delivers a deliciously bold and visually fun meal that’s sure to impress your guests.
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
Decorations
- 1 cup sliced black olives for decoration
- 1 bell pepper, sliced into rings for decoration
- Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the lasagna later.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the spicy Italian sausage and cook, breaking it into crumbles, until browned. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes, diced onion, and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the two bottles of spicy marinara sauce to the skillet along with dried basil, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Mix Ricotta and Egg: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg and mix until smooth and well incorporated.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread a layer of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange three lasagna noodles on top. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this layering one more time: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese.
- Top Layers: Finish with a final layer of noodles, cover with the remaining meat sauce, sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese, and top with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Decorate: Use sliced black olives to create eye shapes and bell pepper rings for mouths, giving the lasagna a spooky ghostly appearance perfect for a themed meal.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Final Bake and Serve: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown. Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before serving, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh and colorful finish.
Notes
- Make sure the noodles are fully drained and slightly dry before assembling to prevent a soggy lasagna.
- You can adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes depending on your preferred spice level.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it set for easier slicing and serving.
- For a milder version, use mild Italian sausage and regular marinara sauce instead of spicy varieties.
- Adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano as garnish can enhance the flavor and presentation.
