(This dish is loosely based on my mom's version of lasagna and a recipe my father-in-law relayed to me while he was visiting—both were passed to me verbally.) I used up what we had left in the fridge and pantry and added a few things to it. But you can add whatever you like to this lasagna, and use up the veggies, cheeses, and meats that you have!
- Brown 1lb of ground beef, with some minced garlic (Jaymz and I used a whole bulb, but we love garlic) and 1/2 a large onion, coarsely chopped. (If I was to go back and do this over, I would've browned the beef and then drained it before adding the veggies). Add 2 zucchinis, quartered and then sliced into 1/2" chunks. Saute for a few minutes, until the zucchini begins to soften. Add about 2 cups of baby spinach to the top of that mixture and saute until spinach has cooked down. Set aside.
- In a bowl, combine 12oz of cottage cheese, about 1/4c of mozzarella cheese, and some Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), along with coarsely chopped fresh Italian herbs (I had basil and oregano), then set aside.
- In another bowl, combine a large (12oz?) jar of your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce and 1c water. (You could also cook the meat/veggie mixture then add it to your pasta sauce/water mixture if you like.)
- Now you're ready to begin layering the lasagna. Spread a small amount of the tomato sauce in the bottom of your baking dish—just enough to coat the bottom. Then put down a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. Spread some of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles, then a layer of the meat and veggies, then a layer of sauce on top. Repeat with more noodles, then cheese, then meat/veggies, then sauce until you're out of everything except sauce. Add a final later of noodles, then the rest of the sauce, then a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and you're done assembling!
Cover your lasagna pan(s) with foil and bake at 350° for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 30 minutes or until it comes out bubbly and the cheese is a yummy golden brown.
Suggestion indeed! You cook like your great-grandmothers did. They would love this!
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