Mom's Delicious Lasagna

I love, love, love lasagna!  It's one of those comfort foods that I always can eat large amounts of!  My mom's homemade lasagna recipe is the best.  I love it!  That's all I need to say about that!

Mom's Delicious Lasagna

1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. ground beef, turkey, or Italian sausage (whatever you prefer, I use Italian sausage)
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 10 oz. pk. frozen chopped spinach (optional)
1 c. water
1 1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 1/2 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
1 pkg. oven ready lasagna noodles or 8 oz. lasagna noodles, cooked al dente and drained
2 c. cottage cheese
3/4 c. Parmesan cheese
16 oz. mozzarella cheese, sliced

Instructions:

Saute the onion and garlic in oil over medium high heat until tender.  Add the meat and brown.  Add tomato sauce, paste, spinach, water, and seasonings.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer covered for 30 minutes.

In a 9x13 baking dish, place 1/2 of the lasagna noodles across the bottom of the dish.  Layer 1/2 of the cottage cheese, 1/4 c. parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese.  Add half of the meat sauce.  Repeat the layers.  Use the remaining 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese on top.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Bake the lasagna for 45 minutes and until hot and bubbly.  Remove pan from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes before cutting into it.  Slice and serve.

Husband Rating:

Food for Thought: This is an easy make-ahead and freeze kind of meal.  I usually double or triple it if I am going to go through the work of making it and put a few in the freezer.  Simply make the sauce and assemble the lasagna.  Prior to baking, cover the lasagna and freeze.  When you plan to  cook it, set it in the fridge to thaw or plan for additional baking time.