My parents visited Sunday, and my dad delivered a few one pound packages of this fall’s venison burger. One of my favorite dishes to make with venison burger is a meat and vegetable lasagna that I can freeze in single servings. It’s especially great this time of year when spring is around the corner so I’m craving veggies, but the air is still cold so I want something warm and cozy.

Tip: Keep a supply of one-quart zip-top freezer bags.

Recipe: Venison and vegetable lasagna
Serves 12

1 pound ground venison
Cooking spray or 1 Tbsp olive oil
1-1/2 cups water
1 (16 oz) jar pasta sauce
1 (16 oz) can tomatoes
2 cups frozen spinach
1 quart sliced button mushrooms
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded zucchini or yellow squash
3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
2 eggs or 1/2 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
9 uncooked lasagna noodles

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook venison in a large saucepan coated with cooking spray or olive oil over medium heat until browned. Add water, pasta sauce, and next five ingredients (through zucchini); bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer ten minutes or until mushrooms are cooked and tender. Remove from heat.

Combine 2 cups mozzarella, ricotta cheese, and next four ingredients (Parmesan cheese through pepper) in a bowl.

Spread 1 cup meat mixture in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Arrange three noodles over meat mixture and top with 1-1/2 cups meat mixture. Spread half of cheese mixture over meat mixture. Repeat layers, ending with the remaining meat mixture.

Cover and bake at 350° for one hour. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and bake, uncovered, for ten minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into 12 pieces, and place each one into a one-quart zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Then, whenever you’re in the mood for a little lasagna action, unzip the bag and pop it in the microwave on defrost. Once it’s thawed, microwave on the reheat setting until heated through.