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Picnic Recipe For Crowds
Hosting a picnic for a large group of family or friends can be a marvelous way to entertain
that offers many advantages over traditional in-home parties. Without the necessity of
cleaning the house or moving the furniture to accommodate your guests, you can spend more
time creating a wonderful meal that will be satisfying and delicious. And, with a picnic
party, you won't have to be worried about your neighbors complaining about the noise!
There are a multitude of ideal locations for a picnic party. Many parks and beaches offer
picnic tables, grills, and bathroom facilities. Make sure to find out if you need reservations
for your event.
Once you have chosen your picnic site, your attention should be focused on the meal. The
best picnic dishes are filling, tasty, and of course easy to pack and store. Lasagna meets
all of these requirements, and it's simple and inexpensive to prepare. Serve a zesty meat
lasagna with a tossed salad and breadsticks, and you'll have your guests raving about your
hosting abilities. Don't forget to bring disposable plates, cups, flatware, and napkins.
Throw a cute tablecloth on a picnic table, and let the party begin!
Zesty Picnic Lasagna
Serves 8
1 large onion, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ lbs bulk Italian sausage (either mild or spicy)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon oregano leaves
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
12 ounces lasagna noodles
2 cups ricotta cheese or 1 pint small curd cottage cheese
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, grated
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
In a frying pan over medium-high heat, cook onion and garlic until onion is soft. Add
sausage and cook until meat is browned and crumbly. Spoon off and discard excess grease.
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, wine, salt, oregano, sugar, and pepper. Cover pan
and simmer for about 45 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of sauce over the bottom. Place
1/3 of the noodles in an even layer over sauce. Pour 1/3 of the sauce over the noodles.
Dot with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese, then cover with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat
this layering two additional times. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese over top. Bake uncovered
in a 375 degrees oven for 45 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
Looking for more Picnic Recipes or Picnic Food Ideas?
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