We pledge allegiance to the American flag of lasagna

Fourth of July flag lasagna recipe

Recipe adapted from Family Fun

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups fat-free cottage cheese
• 1 pint fat-free ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 16 ounces boiled lasagna noodles*
• 8 ounces part-skim shredded mozzarella

For the topping

• Black olives, chopped
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce

More: Homemade truffles get a red, white and blue makeover for the Fourth of July

Directions:

1. To prepare the lasagna, in a large pan over medium-high heat, cook the ground turkey and onions until the ground turkey is browned, about 6 minutes. Add the pasta sauce (starting with 1-1/2 cups, adding more if necessary), and heat another 2 – 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. In another bowl, mix together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, ricotta and cottage cheese.
3. In a large, greased, 9 x 13-inch jelly roll pan, assemble the lasagna. Place 1 layer of meat sauce, then layer with lasagna noodles. Add 1 layer of the ricotta cheese mixture, then 1 layer of mozzarella. Repeat the layering until all the ingredients are used, saving about 1/2 cup of mozzarella for the top. Once the layers are done, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top to create an even layer.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F, cover, and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove the cover, and bake for another 5 – 10 minutes to lightly brown the cheese. Remove from the oven, and let cool a bit.
5. Before serving, place chopped olives in the upper left-hand corner of the lasagna to make the “stars” of the flag. Then, using a small spoon, carefully make stripes with the remaining sauce, starting where the olives are and moving toward the end of the pan. Serve immediately, and enjoy!

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 5/17/16