I’m just going to come right out with it. I have a recipe you need to try. Like, abandon your plans for the evening and go out to get the ingredients for this mouthwatering summer lasagna right this very minute.
Right – summer lasagna. There’s an oxymoron for you!
You don’t even have to read the rest of this pos – blah, blah, blah… See? I’m making it even easier for you to skip over the directions, print this recipe, and get on your way.
Yep, friends, there’s something about Caprese Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Sausage!
This unique, fresh and creamy lasagna layers the classic Caprese trio of tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, with spicy turkey sausage, then envelops them in a creamy, garlicky (easy!) white sauce.
Fresh and light, yet filling and hearty, Caprese Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Sausage is best described as summertime comfort food. Sumfort food. You’ve got to try it!
Start the Caprese Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Sausage by boiling 3/4lb lasagna noodles in heavily salted, boiling water. You’ll only need 9 noodles for the lasagna, but sometimes they break and what not, so usually cook more than I need.
Drain the noodles, then return them to the hot pot and add a splash of olive oil. Gently stir the noodles around to coat in the oil, which will help keep them from sticking together as they cool.
Meanwhile, remove 3/4lb hot turkey Italian sausage from their casings then add to a large skillet over medium heat. The sausage provides some oomph to the lasagna, and a savory flavor that I just love.
Break the sausage up as it cooks, then remove it to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, start the creamy white sauce. Melt 2 Tablespoons butter then add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook until golden brown, about 30 seconds.
Your kitchen should be smelling AMAZING right about now!
Next, whisk in 3 Tablespoons flour and whisk for another 30 seconds.
Now, pour in 1-1/2 cups chicken broth a few Tablespoons at a time, whisking to incorporate into the flour-butter mixture.
Don’t go too fast, or it’ll be hard to break up the lumps.
When the sauce is smooth, whisk in 1-1/2 cups milk, 2% milk fat or higher, until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper then switch to a spatula and stir the sauce for about 10 minutes, or until it’s thick and bubbly.
Pour the thickened sauce into a large, glass pyrex measuring cup, or bowl with a spout. This step is optional, but I think it makes the assembly of the lasagna a whole lot easier.
Which is where we go next! Generously spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13″ baking dish, then pour in 1/4 cup sauce, and spread it around with a spatula.
Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles long ways on top,
followed by slices of fresh Roma tomatoes,
torn fresh basil,
1/3 of the cooked hot turkey Italian sausage,
and 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese.
Drizzle 1/3 of the remaining sauce on top, then repeat!
Two more times, to be exact, for a total of 3 layers. Cover with foil then bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes, or until the cheese is melted, and the sauce is bubbly.
I call a center piece! ;)
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Caprese Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Sausage
Description
Caprese Lasagna with Spicy Turkey Sausage is fresh and light, yet filling and hearty. Total comfort food and gluten-free friendly!
Ingredients
- 3/4lb lasagna noodles
- extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4lb hot or sweet Italian-style turkey sausage
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tablespoons flour
- 1-1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
- 5-6 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup torn fresh basil
- 1-1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook lasagna noodles in a very large pot of salted, boiling water until just under al dente. Drain and return to the pot. Add a splash of extra virgin olive oil and gently stir to coat the noodles.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Squeeze sausage out of its casing and cook while breaking up until no longer pink. Remove to a plate and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter, then add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in flour, then whisk to combine and cook for 30 more seconds.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth a few Tablespoons at a time, whisking to break up any lumps. Continue pouring and whisking until mixture is smooth. Pour in milk and whisk to combine. Season with salt & pepper.
- Switch to a spatula and stir sauce until thick and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Pour into a bowl with a spout, and set aside.
- Spray the bottom and sides of a 9x13" baking dish with non-stick spray. Pour 1/4 cup sauce into the bottom, then spread evenly with a spatula. Place 3 lasagna noodles in the bottom, then top with 1/3 of the tomatoes, 1/4 cup torn basil, 1/3 of the cooked turkey sausage, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 of the remaining sauce. Repeat 2 more times, for a total of three layers.
- Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 15 more minutes, or until cheese is golden brown and sauce is bubbly. Let sit 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Adapted from Rachel Ray
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Ahhh, I just can’t get over that creamy white sauce! It’s so thick, and the garlic almost tasted roasted.
Enjoy a piece, or 10. Since it’s lighter than traditional lasagnas, and packed with fresh, summertime flavors, I sort of felt ok, nay, obligated, to go back for more. My inner Garfield agreed.
Elyse 06.01.2012
Umm… pretty sure lasagna could NOT get much better than this!!! I cannot wait to make and sink my teeth into this dish. Thanks again for such a great recipe! Enjoy your weekend :-)
Pam Reed 06.01.2012
How do you alter the directions if using the no cook noodles?
erica 06.01.2012
i so have to make this ASAP!!!
Surkhab 06.01.2012
Looks yummy :-)
Amy 06.01.2012
YUM! I will be making this right away, thanks again IGE!!!
Trisha 06.01.2012
This has my name written allllll over it! Thanks for sharing!
Shannon @ A Fork In Each Hand 05.31.2012
Looks and sounds DELISH!!!
Ryan @ Spicy Richmond 05.31.2012
Just bought a bunch of basil and tomatoes. Looks like I’ll be making this soon :)
Valerie 05.31.2012
A) This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it. B) As an Iowa girl who’s currently living outside of the state, it always makes me super happy to see Hy-Vee items in your photos. : ) I miss Hy-Vee.
Beth 05.31.2012
This dish is right up my alley!! I looove basil!!
Maura @ My Healthy 'Ohana 05.31.2012
Mmm…you just put two of my favorite things together in one recipe…caprese and a white sauce lasagna :) Now I just have to get the spicy turkey sausage!
Katrina 05.31.2012
this looks awesome. i’m definitely trying this
Emily 05.31.2012
Yum!!! What a fun twist on lasagna, definitely trying this!
Michelle (Better with Berries) 05.31.2012
Looks and sounds absolutely delicious!
Lori 05.31.2012
This looks so yummy! Funny because my husband also hates the no-boil noodles! So high maintenance :-)
jennyv 05.31.2012
It looks like you may have extras… and I live in WDM… Any chance I can pick these up? ;)
Chrissy 05.31.2012
All I have to say is YES YES YES!! I can’t wait until my fresh basil and tomatoes come in in the next couple of months.
Megan 05.31.2012
Oh wow. Definitely bookmarking! :)
Michelle 05.31.2012
That looks gorgeous!
Lindsey 05.31.2012
Looks like a great lasagna, I should make it and have my family for supper, thanks for sharing!