Lasagna

I frequently have to make lasagna casseroles and pizzas that are different on each side to accommodate individual family tastes; this is one of those dishes.

Are you looking for a dish to take to someone in need or just needs a pick-me-up?  This is my go-to recipe for taking to friends or family that need a meal along with breadsticks and green salad.

Note:  You can use all grated mozzarella cheese in this recipe if desired, instead of the Mozzarella slices and Parmesan cheese.

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Ingredients:

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Recipe makes two casserole pans of Lasagna

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Layering meat ingredients:

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*3 pounds Lean Ground Beef, browned (cooked until no longer pink)

*3 Tablespoons dried Onions

*1 Tablespoon dried Garlic

*1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning

*1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder

*1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes

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Cook the above ingredients together, until ground beef is cooked through, break up hamburger constantly with turner while cooking.

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Add the sauce ingredients to hamburger mixture:

*2 cans Tomato Paste

*1 Jar Traditional Ragu Sauce or Plain Tomato Sauce, 26 ounces

*2 cans petite Diced Tomatoes, no salt added

*1 tablespoon Sugar

* 1-2 teaspoons Deverle’s Seasoning or favorite seasoned salt

*Salt and Pepper to taste

**Additional optional ingredients: 2 small cans drained mushroom pieces, pepperoni slices layered over meat sauce, black olives drained and sliced as many as desired.

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Mix together in bowl the above sauce saving 1 cup of sauce, set aside add the remaining sauce to meat mixture. Also save/set aside 1 1/2 cups of the meat mixture sauce add for the last layer of the lasagna.

Layering ingredients:

*2 24 ounce Cottage Cheese, we like low-fat

*6 Fresh chopped Basil Leaves, optional added to cottage cheese

*2 packages 8 ounce (24 slices) Mozzarella Cheese

*2/3 cup finely Grated Parmesan Cheese

*1 pound box Lasagna Noodles (I used 9 noodles per pan), cooked according to directions

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Assemble Lasagna:

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In 2 rectangular casserole dishes or foil disposable pans.

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Spray cooking dishes/pans with Pam cooking spray.

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1. Start layering dishes/pans each with the saved sauce add 1/2 cup of the sauce to bottom of each dish/pan.
2. 3 cooked noodles to each pan
3. 1/4 of the meat sauce mixture to each pan
4. 1/4 cottage cheese mixture to each pan
5. Layer of sliced mozzarella cheese to each pan
6. Another Layer of 3 noodles
7. Another layer meat mixture
8. Another layer cottage cheese mixture
9. Another layer sliced mozzarella cheese
10. Last layer of 3 noodles to each pan
11. The saved 1 1/2 cup meat Sauce
12. Finally top each dish/pan with the Parmesan or you could grate more mozzarella cheese.

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Cover the lasagna pans with foil and bake in a pre-heated 350*F. oven for 45-60 minutes or until bubbly. Remove foil for 5-10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to set for 15- 20 minutes. Enjoy!!! Refrigerate any left overs.

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Note: I think this lasagna is even better re-heated the next day.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

Lindy