Mom's Classic Lasagna
Author: 
Recipe type: Entree
Prep: 
Cook: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6
 
Classic, perfect lasagna.
Ingredients
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 lb hamburger
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 red pepper, diced or shredded (optional)
  • 1 jar (700 ml) pasta sauce or tomato sauce
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 2 tsp salt, divided
  • 1 tsp oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 8 lasagna noodles
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Grated mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese for topping
Instructions
  1. Sauté onion and garlic in 1 tbsp. oil. Add hamburger and cook until browned. Drain fat. Add mushrooms and peppers, if using, and cook until softened. Add pasta sauce, tomato paste, 1 tsp. of salt, and seasoning. Simmer about 15 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions if not oven-ready.
  3. In small bowl, mix together egg, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp. oil and 1 tsp. salt.
  4. Spread half of the meat sauce in bottom of 9”x13” baking dish. Cover with 4 of the noodles. Spread all of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles, then cover with remaining noodles. Top with remainder of the meat sauce. Bake at 350º for 45 minutes. Top with mozzarella and bake 15 minutes longer. Let stand a few minutes before cutting.
Notes
This can be made ahead, covered, and frozen until you need it. Just take it out the night before you want it and put it in the fridge. Then cook as given in recipe. To make gluten free, simply replace the regular pasta with rice lasagna noodles and make sure your pasta sauce is gluten free. To cook from frozen: cook as directed, adding an additional 20 minutes to cooking time before removing foil and topping with shredded cheese.
Recipe by Hidden Ponies at https://hiddenponies.com/2012/11/moms-classic-lasagna/