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1
Saute garlic over medium-high heat in oil until the garlic starts to sizzle.
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2
Add tomatoes and enough water to make a sauce that's neither thin nor gloppy.
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3
Bring to a simmer; reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, for about 10 minutes (makes a generous 3 cups).
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4
Or use 1 25- or 26-ounce jar good-quality marinara sauce.
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5
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees.
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6
Dissolve salt in 2 quarts of hot tap water in a 9-by-13-inch lasagna dish.
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7
Add noodles; soak until soft, about 10 minutes.
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8
Drain; arrange noodles in a single layer on a baking tray.
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9
Assemble your choice of filling in a bowl, then stir in basil, 8 ounces of cream cheese and 1/4 cup broth.
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10
Mix the remaining cream cheese and broth in a small bowl.
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11
Smear 1/4 cup marinara sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
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12
Make four layers in the following order: three lasagna noodles, 3/4 cup marinara, 1 cup of your filling (or a scant cup of the spinach-mushroom filling), 3/4 cup mozzarella, 2 Tbs.
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13
Parmesan.
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14
Top it all off with the last three noodles, the cream cheese mixture, 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan.
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15
Spray foil with cooking spray and cover pan.
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16
Bake until bubbly throughout, about 40 to 45 minutes.
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17
Leave the lasagna on the same rack and turn the oven to broil.
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18
Remove foil and broil until the top is spotty brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
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19
Remove from oven; let it sit for 10 minutes.
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20
Cut into squares and serve.
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21
Seafood Filling:
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22
Mix 16 ounces (2 cups) pasteurized lump crabmeat, patted dry, and 2 cups cooked salad shrimp in a medium bowl.
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23
Chicken Filling:
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24
Remove skin and bones from a large cooked chicken and shred enough meat to equal 4 cups.
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25
Spinach-Mushroom Filling:
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26
Thaw (do this in a microwave, if you wish) and squeeze dry 2 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach in a colander.
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27
Set aside.
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28
Heat 2 Tbs.
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29
of oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
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30
Saute 1 pound of sliced mushrooms, preferably baby bella, until tender and well browned, 5 to 7 minutes.
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31
Add spinach; continue to saute until heated through.
