Bacon, Brass and Buddies - Brigid's Bachelor Cooking

You don't have to be single to appreciate "Bachelor cooking", those things that can be made with simple ingredients and a well stocked spice cupboard.

Getting a hold of an easy meal doesn't have to involve anything frozen, a pizza or a clown. If you are cooking for 1, 2 or a unexpected crowd hungry from some time at the range, this can be on the table in no time and won't break the bank.

With a few leftovers and some inexpensive cheese picked up at Aldi on the way home, this was in the oven in about 15 minutes and on the table in another 25.  And it got a BIG thumbs up from the Rangehands even if it wasn't chock full of cow.  So wash off the GSR,  pair it with salad and an adult beverage and it's good enough for company.

It tastes just like lasagna, but with a porky kick and the outside of the bun crisps just right in the oven, while the middle stays all soft and pairs perfectly with the cheese and sauce.

The "Porkinator" - Sausage  Lasagna in a bun (easily cuts in half or doubles)

1/3 of a jar of store bought pasta sauce (roughly 1 and 1/4 cups)
1/2 of a roll of Jimmy Deans SPICY breakfast sausage (sage flavor would also work)
1 heaping teaspoon chopped garlic (fill that puppy up)
a slice  or two (ahem) of chopped bacon

Mmmm.  Bacon.  You you need a couple slices for the recipe, eat any extra.

Cook meat and drain fat:

stir into sauce and add:
1/2 tsp oregano
a shake of crushed red pepper (OK I used 3 or 4 but we like spicy)
3 dashes of Jane's Krazy Mixed Up Salt (or your favorite mixed salt)

Simmer just until it's bubbling

While the sauce  heats up, in a bowl mix:

1 cup grated mozzarella
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 cup  Parmesan

Set aside about 1/2 cup of that mixture

To shredded cheese add:
1 cup of ricotta cheese
1 teaspoon of egg (white and yolk mixed up and measured out, save rest for breakfast)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1'2  teaspoon dried parsley
a pinch of cayenne
Mix well.

Get six bratwurst or other larger sized sandwich rolls and scoop out the middle third (save that for meatloaf later), leaving enough at the bottom it holds together, like a sub-shaped bread bowl.

Place a big spoonful of meat sauce inside, top with a couple spoonful's of the cheese mixture, leaving a little open space for the sauce to bubble up through.

Cook in 350 F. oven, covered lightly with foil for 20 minutes.  Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake another 4-6 minutes, until cheese on top melts.

That's it.  No time at all in the kitchen.

For when squirrels gather, they have more important things to do.