Not Your Momma's Ravioli Lasagna - AMEX 6 Ingredient Challenge and Giveaway

Ravioli Lasagna, Farmers Wife Original

Hey y'all! If you're a Facebook fan, you know I've been working on some really special posts, that I've been DYING to share with you... Well here it is! I was chosen, along with 19 other fabulous bloggers, to be a part of the AMEX Dinner@6 Challenge by FoodBuzz's Tastemaker Program along with American Express to create a dinner with only 6 ingredients!!! I have to admit when I first got the email that I was chosen for this challenge, my emotions went haywire! I very quickly went from stunned, to ecstatic, to downright worried lol! This really was a challenge for me. I've made a few recipes in the past that were 6 ingredients or less, but never as a requirement (though I was relieved when I read the rules that water, oil, salt and pepper didn't count as one of the six so I could use them to my heart's desire! hehe!). So after spending a few days marinating ideas in my food obsessed brain, finally this one came to me at 2 am... Yeah... I told you before I dream in food. ;-) Ravioli Lasagna... Or as I like to call it "Not Your Momma's Ravioli Lasagna" this is unlike any traditional lasagna you've ever had, trust me on this!

For this challenge I had my own criteria on top of the 6 ingredients or less, it had to be easy, full of flavor and kid friendly. Because that's what this Momma needs at the end of the day. Though I have to be honest... I am surprised at how good this turned out. I know, I should wow you and say I knew it would be awesome and blah blah blah... But the truth is I was scared to make this. I've never really had luck with a lasagna before, and this is so NOT traditional lasagna. But then I served it up to my *picky* Little Sous Chef, and after he took his first bite, he closed his eyes... After a somewhat awkward pause... lol! The following conversation ensued:

Me: "So........ How is it?"
LSC: *Stuffs his mouth and says:* "It's so nummy... You're a nice cooker Mommy!!"
Me: "Really?!? Are you sure?"
LSC: "Yup! I'm not allowed to lie remember Mommy?"

Lol!! He cracks me up sometimes, but when a 3 year old pays you such a high compliment it must be taken into consideration. And to my surprise this lasagna really was full of flavor even with such few ingredients, and it held up so beautifully... This is truly the best and easiest lasagna I've ever made and the best part is it came together in under an hour, including bake time! Serve this alongside a salad and some delicious garlic bread, and this dinner would impress even the pickiest eater, or at least it did in my house as my son even asked for seconds... You read that right, SECONDS! Yum....

Ingredients:
16 oz. Ravioli, any filling you like I had Cheese on hand
1 lbs. Italian Turkey Sausage (or 3 links *optional, leave out to make this vegetarian*)
3 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3 Roasted Red Peppers
1 15 oz. Can Italian Diced Tomatoes
3 cloves of Garlic
1/4 cup Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large pot boil 6 cups of water, and cook the ravioli about 7 minutes, drain, rinse with cold water and set aside. In a skillet heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until hot. Remove the sausage from the casing then add to the pan, and cook until browned. Meanwhile in a blender puree the peppers, tomatoes, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper and remaining oil and puree until desired consistency (I like some small chunks). Pour the sauce into the pan with the meat and heat through, once hot add about 1/4 cup of cheese to the sauce and let melt. In a greased 8x8 pan place a small amount of sauce in the bottom, then add a layer of the ravioli, top with more sauce, and a layer of cheese. Repeat layers using all of the ravioli and sauce, ending with cheese on top. Place in a 350F degrees pre-heated oven, bake for 30 minutes or until cheese is melted. Once done, let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

*Don't leave!!! I have something special for you!!!* 

Along with creating this recipe, and as part of the Dinner@6 contest sponsored by Blue Cash PreferredSM, American Express has also provided me with $100 gift card to give to one of YOU!!! How awesome is that y'all? Thank you American Express and Foodbuzz for sponsoring this giveaway for my fantastic fans! But as with EVERY good giveaway there a few rules...

1. This Giveaway will run until September 29th, 2011 at 11:59 PM ET. I will announce the winner Friday September 30th, 2011. The winner will be chosen via a Random Number Generator, and the winner will only have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be chosen. I will contact you VIA email to receive your mailing info which will be passed on to Foodbuzz who will be sending out the gift-card.

2. Comments must be made on THIS BLOG POST. Comments on Facebook or Twitter will not be counted as entries. 

3. Leave a comment letting me know what your favorite 6 ingredient dinner is, and your name and email address! Only ONE comment per person will be counted.

4. Share this post along with the link on your Twitter/Facebook Accounts saying "I have entered to win a $100 American Express Gift-card on The Farmers Wife, and you can enter too!"

As always Good Luck! I look forward to reading what you like to make with 6 ingredients or less!

Happy Cooking!