Next Post
Kahlua Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.
Trust me, my Aunt Katie was an amazing aunt, mom, teacher, friend, and wife.
She was actually kind of crazy, but in the best way possible. What came out of this girl’s mouth was down right funny and a good part of the time inappropriate for anyone under the age of 16. Every time a certain body part was mentioned, yes I said body part, she would make references to the word winky. She also had a great name for peanut butter, once again it involved a body part! Let’s just say most of her funnier comment’s are too inappropriate for this blog. The lady could really make you laugh!
And can we talk about her laugh for second? It was the best laugh you have ever heard. A true honest laugh, not one of those fake ones that people use just to go along with things. No, her laugh was a lite up the room kind of laugh. Full of happiness, excitement, and love. It put a true smile on everyones face. That laugh will be missed so much!
Some of my best memories of her are when I was younger and our families would head to our cabin in Ripley, New York the day after Christmas. Everyone one was on break with nothing around us for miles so we would ski, go sledding off the deck, tie ropes to the back of the four wheelers and go for sled rides, make coke slushies out snow, make margarita’s (virgin for the youngins) watch movies, eat hot tamales, watch the ball drop on New Years Eve and play Balderdash!
Balderdash is a game of bluffing and trivia and Aunt Katie killed it! There could not have been a better Balderdash player. Seriously, we would get a serious ab workout from all the laughing. Those were some of the best nights that I can remember, and they are because of her.
She had a way of making you feel like you were not the only freak in the world. She always put everyone before herself, that is just who she was.
She would even put my hair in a french braid for me before heading out to go snowboarding. She did it for my cousins (her daughters) and I obviously wanted to be just like them. Since my mom did not know how to french braid (or maybe she did, but she just said that so my aunt Katie would do it), Aunt Katie did it for me. And to this day every morning when I go out for a hike I braid my hair just like she used to!
Aunt Katie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer barely 8 months ago. She died on Monday night after fighting her hardest. She was the strongest most dedicated person I know. She was too young. It was too soon.
She will be missed by so many. No one will ever forget her, it is just not possible.
She left us with amazing memories, even better cousins and this lasagna recipe. My cousins say her best dishes were literally “just threw shit together”. Chili, steak, potatoes and this lasagna. It is my moms favorite, along with many others, and now it can be yours to!
Aunt Katie’s White Lasagna
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories Per Serving: 1005 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 cups milk I used 2%
- 2 cups chicken broth vegetable broth can be used
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 cups whole milk ricatta 16oz
- 1 cup gorgonzola cheese finely crumbled, 8oz
- 1 egg
- 2 packages frozen spinach thawed and drained
- 2 cups cooked chicken cut into bite size pieces (optional)
- 1 pound fresh lasagna noodles or 8oz uncooked lasagna noodles about 10
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a 9x13 inch pan, set a side.
- Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan. Saute the garlic, basil, oregano and pepper until the garlic is fragrant.Whisk in the flour and salt until there are no clumps (besides the garlic). Cook for about 1 minute.
- Slowly add the milk and broth. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Set the cheese sauce aside.
- In a medium bowl combine the ricatta cheese, gorgonzola cheese, and egg. Mix until combined.
- Spread 1/4 of the cheese sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with 3-4 lasagna noodles (fresh or uncooked dry lasagna noodles). Spread with 1/2 the ricotta cheese mixture, half the chicken, if using and then another 1/4 of the cheese sauce. Place another 3-4 lasagna noodles on top and then top with the remaining ricotta cheese mixture, then all of the spinach and another 1/4 of the cheese sauce. Add the remaining lasagna noodles and pour the remain cheese sauce over top. Top with a 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 1 hour or until the top has bubbled up and browned a bit.
- Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
Aunt Katie you left us with the best memories possible, we will NEVER forget you. Like I said, it is not possible.
I just found you from Flour Me WIth Love. So sorry to hear of your aunt’s passing, but it sounds like she was a wonderful lady. It’s obvious by your post how much you loved and appreciated her. I love reading posts like this. That lasagna looks really yummy! Thanks for sharing her recipe with us.
Such a wonderful tribute to your Aunt. Reading your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, that is so kind! My cousins are here with us now so that is helping them to be around family!
Your Aunt Katie sure knows how to make lasagna. This looks delicious! There’s so much golden brown cheesy goodness, I can hardly handle it!
This looks delicious…a dear friend of mine makes a white lasagna with red peppers and bechemel sauce…just heavenly. Thanks for sharing the story about your aunt, she sounds like a hoot!
I am so sorry for your loss! It is always so hard to lose someone you love, and I can tell that you love her very much, You wrote such a beautiful tribute to her, thank you for sharing a bit of her with us. I am going to pin this and can’t wait to try it!
yummy! white lasagna is my favorite. this recipe looks amazing! I’d love for you to share them at my link party if you have a chance. Hope you are having a wonderful holiday! http://www.dearemmeline.blogspot.com/2012/12/tis-season-of-holiday-leftovers-cheesy.html
Sorry for your loss, she’s sounds like a wonderful person and clearly an excellent cook, too! I hope you will have wonderful memories.
Thank you! She really was! Merry Christmas!
This looks divine!
This looks delicious, I will give it a try. Would love for you to visit at memoriesbythemile.com
Merry Christmas,
Wanda Ann
I tried a white lasagna recipe that didn’t work out well. I have a lot of noodles I’m going to give yours a whirl. Thanks I’ll pin it.
Thanks for pining!
This looks delicious. I’m pinning this for a dinner some time soon!
It is! My aunt knew how to make a good lasagna! Thanks for pinning!
Looks delicious!
This looks delicious…I’ll have to try it soon. Thanks for sharing
T – you are a very sweet girl! This blog cheered me up on a sad day! xo ethel
Can’t wait to try Aunt Katie’s White Lasagne!
Thanks Ethel! And thanks for helping to get my cousins out here! It is the best things for them! And we could not be happier!
I am so so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing person who was loved very much. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Thank you!