the best lasagna. ever

THE BEST LASAGNA. EVER
photo & recipe via The Pioneer Woman

This is a great, basic lasagna recipe that everyone will love! Made it without the sausage the first time (thought it would taste a bit odd), but sausage makes it extra-yummy and I would recommend following the recipe exactly. 

1.5 lb ground beef

1 lb hot breakfast sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 (14.5 ounce) cans whole tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

2 T dried parsley

2 T dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups low-fat cottage cheese

2 whole beaten eggs

1/2 cup grated (not shredded) Parmesan cheese

2 Tablespoons dried parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1 pound sliced Mozzarella cheese

1 (10 ounce) package lasagna noodles

(add 1/2 t salt and 1 T olive oil to pasta water)

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, sausage, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Drain half the fat; less if you’re feeling naughty. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil and salt. After adding the tomatoes, the sauce mixture should simmer for 45 minutes while you are working on the other steps.

In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, 2 more tablespoons parsley, and 1 more teaspoon salt. Stir together well. Set aside. Cook lasagna until “al dente” (not overly cooked).

Arrange 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan, overlapping if necessary. Spoon half the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Spoon a little less than half the meat/sauce mixture over the top.

Repeat, ending with meat/sauce mixture. Sprinkle top generously with extra Parmesan.

Either freeze, refrigerate for up to two days, or bake immediately: 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until top is hot and bubbly.