2cupsmozzarella cheese(plus about 1/2 cup extra for topping)
12slices of provolone cheese
Instructions
First pre-heat your oven to 375 degrees. We won't be boiling any noodles (hallelujah) so you can get right to the sauce!!
Making the Sauce
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium/high heat and add in the meat, onion, pepper, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is completely browned. (about 5-7 minutes)
Drain the beef (if necessary) then turn off the heat and add in the marinara sauce. Stir to combine.
Making the Ricotta Filling
In a large bowl, add the ricotta cheese, 2 eggs, and 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese. Beat together with a hand mixer or a spatula. (The mixer makes this so much easier!)
Layering and Baking
Spray your pan with non-stick spray (to save your sanity later) and then add a couple spoonfuls of the meat sauce to the bottom of the pan.
Then add your noodles. I don't even buy the "no-bake" noodles. You can use regular noodles and the heat from the oven will cook them just fine. Break them up as you need to fit your pan.
Take half of the ricotta mixture and spread it over the noodles.
Then take 6 of your provolone cheese slices and lay them over the ricotta mixture.
Repeat the layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, provolone) and end with a layer of sauce.
Sprinkle the extra mozzarella cheese over the top of the last layer of the sauce.
Cover with aluminum foil. (I spray the aluminum foil with non-stick spray before putting it on so it doesn't stick and pull the cheese off)
Bake for 45 minutes covered, and then remove the foil and bake for 15 more minutes.