Easy Lasagna

An easy-to-make, delicious recipe for lasagna.

Estimated serving size for a 9x13 pan: 12-16

Prep time: 20-30 minutes

Baking time: 60-70 minutes

Broiling time: 5 minutes

Overall time: 85-105 minutes/1 hour and a half - 1 hour and 45 minutes

Supplies

Items

9x9 or 9x13 pan - Glass, Non-stick, or Ceramic

Aluminum Foil/Tin Foil

Cheese grater if using a block of cheese

1/2 cup

1 cup

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef - Other ground meats work as well.

Uncooked lasagna noodles - Any lasagna noodles work.

A jar of pasta sauce - Any pasta sauce works. At least a 1 lb jar.

1/2 cup of cottage cheese.

1 lb of cheese for a 9x9 pan - 1 and 1/2 lbs of cheese for a 9x13 pan. --- I am using mozzarella cheese. Ricotta cheese is also commonly used for lasagna. If you would like, you can use half of one type of cheese and half of another type. For example, half mozzarella and half ricotta.

Optional - Adding roasted garlic, sautéed spinach, sautéed mushrooms, or any other desired flavorful additions.

Optional - Coleslaw and/or naan to serve the lasagna with.

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 365 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 2: Cook Ground Meat

Cook 2 lbs of ground meat until there is no pink left. Add salt and pepper as desired.

Step 3: Sauté Extra Ingredients

Sauté any extra ingredients you would like in the lasagna. Garlic, onions, mushrooms, or other vegetables.

Step 4: Grate Cheese

If using a block of cheese, use a cheese grater to grate 4-6 cups/1-1.5 pounds depending on the size of pan you are using, 9x9 or 9x13.

Step 5: Building Lasagna Part 1

*Reduce ingredients by about 1/3 of the ingredients listed below and in the next step if using a 9x9 pan*

1. Evenly cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of pasta sauce.
2. Add your first layer of uncooked lasagna noodles.
3. Add another layer of pasta sauce.
4. Layer on about 1/3 of the cooked meat.
5. Spread about 1/2 cup of cottage cheese on the meat.
6. Add another layer of uncooked noodles.
7. Add another layer of pasta sauce.

Step 6: Building Lasagna Part 2

1. Add any extra ingredients you are using, such as sautéed vegetables.
2. Spread 1/3 of the meat on top.
3. Spread 2 cups of cheese - 1/2 a pound.
4. Add another layer of uncooked noodles.
5. Add another layer of pasta sauce.
6. Add another layer of meat.
7. Put 2 cups of cheese on top - 1/2 a pound.

You will need another 1 or 2 cups of cheese later on.

Step 7: Boiling Water

Once you are finished stacking the ingredients, pour one cup of boiling water evenly throughout the pan on top of the lasagna, then cover with aluminum foil. Cover tightly with the foil to trap the moisture.

If you are using a 9x9 pan only use HALF a cup of boiling water to avoid soupy lasagna.

Step 8: Bake

Put the pan in the oven and bake for 60-70 minutes at 365 degrees Fahrenheit until firm.

Step 9: Take Out of Oven

Once the lasagna is done baking, remove the foil.

When you take the foil off, the lasagna should be firm, not wet and sloshy. You shouldn't see any standing or excess water, it should have cooked into the noodles.

If, after the suggested cooking time, the lasagna is still a little moist or soupy, let it sit on the counter uncovered for 10 minutes.

Step 10: Broil

Spread 2 cups of whatever cheese you are using on top of the lasagna. Then, put the pan in the oven on low broil for 3-5 minutes, until the cheese starts to brown.

Only use 1 cup of cheese if using a 9x9 pan.

Step 11: Finish

Take the lasagna out of the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes, then cut and serve with coleslaw and naan if desired.