Lasagna, My Way

prep time:: 2 hr
total time:: 4 hr

Makes 12 servings

My lasagna has always been a bit light on the noodles and heavy on the cheese. I also like a thick and spicy sauce. When I make this in the fall, I will make enough for 6 large pans. It is a lot of work, but is worth it. This freezes beautifully

ingredients

Meat sauce
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground Italian sausage (I use turkey sausage)
1 onion diced.
1 32 oz jar of chunky tomato and basil spaghetti sauce
2 6oz cans of tomato paste
1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon of fennel seeds.
Creamy cheese layer
32 oz of cottage cheese,
1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
2 tsp of minced garlic
3 Tbsp of parsley
Shredded cheese layer:
2 1/2 lbs shredded mozzarella cheese
8 oz shredded Colby or cheddar cheese. You should have 3 lbs of cheese shredded.
1 package of lasagna noodles.

directions

Instructions for the layers

1
Meat sauce: In a large pan, brown the beef and Italian sausage. Lightly drain. Add the onion and saute in the pan for a few minutes until soft. Add the meat, the spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning and fennel seeds. Simmer for about 30 minutes or until very thick.
2
Creamy Cheese Layer: In a large bowl, add the cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic and parsley. Stir and let stand for about 20 minutes.
3
Shredded Cheese Layer: In a large bowl, combine the cheeses, give it a nice stir.
4
Noodles: Take 1 box of lasagna noodles and add to a 13x9 inch pan. Cover with hot tap water and let stand for 20 minutes, until the noodles have softened slightly.

Putting this all together

1
Preheat the oven to 375°
2
In a 13x9 inch pan, add a small ladle of meat sauce liquid, and spread over entire pan.
3
Put l layer of noodles over the liquid.
4
Add 1/3 of the creamy cheese layer mixture and spread evenly over the noodles.
5
Top with 1/3 of the meat mixture and spread over the top of the noodles.
6
Sprinkle 1/3 of the shredded cheese layer over the top of the meat mixture.
7
Repeat the process until you have all 3 layers in the pan.
8
Cover with foil and bake for 60 minutes.
9
Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
10
Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes and slice.

notes

To freeze, cover assembled lasagna with a layer of plastic wrap, then with another layer of foil. Freeze. Preheat oven to 400°. Remove plastic wrap & cover with foil. Bake frozen lasagna for 2 hours.

Source: Kathleen