Granted, I am on my way to the weight loss happiness that is near, but I can still talk about and share recipes that I love, right?  The ones that bring smiles to my eaters faces and “more” to my children’s lips!  The ones that bring back wonderful childhood memories and taste familiar and warm?

Like my signature Lasagna!

I’ll admit, this was my mothers recipe, and I think even my Grandmother’s,  but I have made it so often for my family that I feel like it is mine now as well!

Lasagna

2.5 pounds of ground beef  {I like to mix ground pork and sausage, and spinach in too!}

A jar of spaghetti sauce

A package of noodles {I like the precooked ones!}

1 pound of cottage cheese

1 pound of shredded mozzarella cheese

I brown the meat, add the sauce, and start piling in the casserole dish!

First noodles, then meat, then more noodles to hold the cheeses.  Then meat, noodles and cheese.

Stack it how you want but make sure noodles are on the bottom so that the lasagna stays together when you scoop it out!

Bake at 375 deg for an hour

Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese with about 15 minutes left to cook

It is that easy and a family, friend, stranger on the street, favorite!

Anyone can make this dish and since the ingredients are so few, it is affordable and minimum on the labor side!  Plus they freeze great for new moms, neighbors, or just to have in your freezer for an even easier dinner!

Because I love pasta and all things pasta, I thought it would be interesting to take the Carrabba’s Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook!  Come on, quizzes are FUN!

Turns out, I am just as simple and easy as my Lasagna!

“You’re genuine and well loved, like Carrabba’s Spaghetti and Meatballs. Your warm and comforting personality makes you everybody’s best friend. So go for our equally popular hand-prepared meatballs over perfectly cooked imported spaghetti.”

Mmm… Spaghetti and Meatballs would be my other favorite pasta!

Is that how you see me?

How fun is this?

I want to know that YOUR pasta personality is!  Go take the quiz and report back your pasta personality!  Think of what we will learn about each other!

Carrabba’s Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook

I really so love pasta!  I love cooking it eating it, but most of all, sharing it!

Go ahead, tell me your favorite recipe!  I need more for my book!

In the meantime, check out these awesome signature dishes and Limited Time Offers from Carrabba’s italian Grill!

Carrabba’s Signature Pasta Meals and New Limited Time Offers
Signature Pasta Meals, featuring seven distinctive dishes served with choice of soup or fresh salad starting at $10. There’s no better place than Carrabba’s to enjoy a complete Italian meal – any day of the week.

CARRABBA’S PASTA: Carrabba’s makes every pasta dish by hand with the freshest ingredients.  Pasta is cooked perfectly every time and signature sauces are made from scratch daily. Creative flavors and combinations of ingredients are part of Carrabba’s authentic family recipes as well as new creations.

LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Now through July 2011.
Featured Signature Pasta Meal:
Pasto Rambo – Named for the chef who created it, it’s made with shrimp tossed with imported Italian linguine, spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes sautéed in our basil lemon butter sauce. Lobster is available instead of shrimp for an additional cost.

Other Limited Time Offers:
Parmesan-crusted Chicken – Topped with fresh arugula and grape tomatoes tossed in a hand-prepared lemon vinaigrette, served with choice of side. Substitution of wood-grilled chicken also available. Pairs well with Estancia Pinot Grigio.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin – Three pork tenderloin medallions wrapped with prosciutto, wood-grilled and topped with an apple and fig infused port wine sauce, served with the vegetable of the day. Pairs well with Coppola Pinot Noir.

Limoncello Bread Pudding – Back by popular demand! Brioche bread pudding made with fresh Madagascar vanilla beans and a rich custard, served hot out of the oven. Topped with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and drizzled with Carrabba’s homemade Caravella Limoncello liqueur sauce.

Now Introducing:
Peach SangriaCarrabba’s new light and fruity Peach Sangria blends Copper Ridge White Zinfandel, Absolut Apeach vodka and Patrón Citrónge with a splash of citrus. Topped with a fresh lemon wedge and strawberry, it’s a taste of the Amalfi Coast in spring.

Locations: Visit www.carrabbas.com for the closest Carrabba’s location. There are more than 230 locations nationwide.

About Carrabba’s:
Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola founded the first Carrabba’s Italian Grill in 1986 in Houston, Texas. Today, there are 232 Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations around the country, run by passionate local proprietors focused on delighting guests with fresh, made-to-order Italian cuisine and the ultimate dining experience. Carrabba’s serves dinner seven nights a week in a casual environment that pairs innovative dishes and a complementary wine list with abundant hospitality. For on-the-go guests, Carrabba’s also offers convenient Carside Carry-Out. To learn more about Carrabba’s, please visit www.carrabbas.com.

Carrabba’s Pasta Personality Quiz on Facebook – Take the quiz to see how your personality compares to some of Carrabba’s signature pasta dishes! http://www.facebook.com/Carrabbas?sk=app_142632109083371

**I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Carrabba’s blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.**