Venison Lasagna Easy Classic Recipe With Deer Meat Sauce

VENISON LASAGNA

Steps:

• Make the sauce. Brown the meat in a large, heavy pot like a Dutch oven. Take your time and do this in batches. It could take as long as 20 minutes. Put all the browned meat back in the pot and then add the chopped onions and cook for another 4 to 8 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add seasonings - fennel seeds and pollen if using, oregano, basil, maybe a little cayenne if you want - and mix well.
• Mix the wine and tomato paste and pour in the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring often. Add the tomato sauce and can of crushed tomatoes and mix again. Bring to a simmer and taste it: If it's too acidic, add the sugar. Cook slowly for 1 to 2 hours. This can be done as much as two days ahead of time.
• Prepare the lasagna. Soak the lasagna noodles in hot water for 15 to 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Meanwhile, mix the parsley with the ricotta cheese in a bowl. Grate the pecorino or parmesan and shred the mozzarella. Grate 1/2 a nutmeg into the ricotta. If you can't find whole nutmegs, use 1 teaspoon.
• To assemble, spread a good amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of a standard 9-inch by 13-inch casserole pan. Remove the lasagna noodles and lay on the meat sauce. Spread half the ricotta cheese mixture on the noodles, then half the mozzarella cheese, then 1/2 the pecorino.
• Add another layer of meat sauce - you will have one final layer after this - then the rest of the noodles. Add the remaining ricotta and mozzarella, plus 1/2 of the remaining pecorino. Spread the remaining meat sauce on this, then sprinkle with the last bit of pecorino.
• To cook, cover the lasagna with foil. You might want to spray the underside first with non-stick spray so the cheese doesn't stick to it. Bake covered for 25 minutes. Carefully take off the foil and bake for another 25 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving with a strong red wine.

VENISON LASAGNE (OR BEEF)

Steps:

• Cook lasagne noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• For meat sauce: In a large saucepan or skillet, scramble-fry meat, onion, and garlic until meat is brown and onion is tender. Drain fat (if you're using venison, there likely won't be any -- that's my little plug for venison!).
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste and seasonings. Bring to a boil.
• Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• For Cheese Filling: Combine egg, cottage cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
• Layer half lasagne noodles in a lightly greased 9x13 pan. Spread with half the meat sauce and then half the cheese filling. Repeat layers.
• Sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese on top and additional grated mozzarella, if desired.
• Bake at 375F for 30-35 minutes and let stand 10 minutes before serving.