Amateur Lasagna

10 ounces frozen spinach

60 ounces spaghetti sauce -- two 30 oz. jars

2 cups ricotta cheese, part skim milk

1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, part skim milk -- shredded

1 egg -- beaten

8 ounces lasagna noodles

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon oregano -- optional

1/2 teaspoon basil -- optional

1/2 cup vegetable juice cocktail

1/2 cup water

* Spaghetti sauce is available in a 30 ounce jar and also in smaller containers. For this recipe, I use about 1-1/2 to 2 jars of the Ragu Sauce in the 30 ounce container.

1. Thaw the spinach and squeeze dry.

2. In a large container mix the two cheeses, beaten egg, black

pepper, oregano and basil. Add the thawed spinach and blend well. 3. Use a 13 x 9 inch pan. Put a small amount of the sauce in bottom

and spread lightly to cover bottom. This keeps the lasagna from sticking as it cooks, and enables you to remove it easily in neat portions. 4. Place one third of the uncooked noodles, one third of the sauce

and one third of the cheese-spinach mixture. Make 3 layers this way, ending with the sauce. 5. Combine the water and vegetable juice cocktail or tomato juice.

Pour this carefully around the edges of the casserole, moving the noodles slightly with a spatula to get the liquid distributed evenly. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese if desired. 6. Cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour to 1 and

1/4 hours. Remove foil and continue baking for a few minutes more, until lightly browned and bubbling. 7. Let stand for at least 15 minutes before serving. This lasagna can

be sliced with a flat edged spatula and lifted out in serving-sized portions.