Classic Lasagna

You might need a bit more cottage or ricotta cheese, especially if splitting between smaller pans. Also, you will only get two levels deep if you don’t have a really deep pan. Our contribution to this recipe comes from Ashley’s mother, which is adding a package of spicy Italian sausage to give some additional flavor.

Yields: 10

Preparation time: 90

Cooking time: 60

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs ground beef
  • 1 package of spicy Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 15 oz can water use the tomato sauce can
  • 1 12 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp basil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 24 oz mozzarella cheese grated (can use more)
  • 16 oz cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 16 oz box lasagna pasta you will only need about 15 noodles

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • In a large pan, add olive oil, chopped onions and garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes.
  • Add ground beef and sausage, and cook until completely browned, drain fat. Return to pan.
  • Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente, rinse and set aside.
  • Lightly spray a 14 x 11 1/2 x 2 1/4 baking dish (or two smaller size baking dishes) with a non stick spray then add a small amount of meat mixture in the bottom of dish. Spread around.
  • Add lasagna noodles (approximately 5, they will overlap onto each other).
  • Next, spoon half of the cottage cheese on top of pasta and spread over pasta.
  • Spoon 1/3 meat mixture on top of cottage cheese.
  • Sprinkle with half the Parmesan cheese.
  • Next add 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.
  • Repeat with another layer of pasta, cottage cheese, meat mixture, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese.
  • Final layer is pasta, topped with remaining meat mixture and remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Cover with foil and cook for approximately 50-60 minutes. Remove foil and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  • Serve with salad and garlic bread.

Category: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Tags: FamilyItalian