Lasagna with Cottage Cheese (Video)

Ingredients

• 12-16 Lasagna Noodles (or substitute with Lasagna Sheets)
• 2 tablespoons Oil (for frying)
• 2 Onions (diced)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 Celery Rib (diced)
• 1 Carrot (diced)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 2 pounds (1kg) Ground Beef
• 1 Jar Tomato Passata or Tomato Puree (24oz)
• 2 tablespoons fresh Basil (or 1 tablespoon Dried Basil)
• 2 teaspoons fresh Oregano (or 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano)
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 2 cups Cottage Cheese (500g or 16oz)
• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh Parsley (chopped)
• Black Pepper to taste
• 5 cups Mozzarella Cheese (grated)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare Pasta - if using uncooked Lasagna Noodles, cook according to instructions ensuring they are cooked al dente. Rinse with cold water and set aside.

2. 2

   Cook the Meat - heat oil in pan and sauté onions, celery and carrot and garlic until softened. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Add the Ground Beef and cook until browned and all the liquid has evaporated.

3. 3

   Add Sauce - stir in Passata or Tomato Puree, Basil, Oregano and a Bay Leaf. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.

4. 4

   Prepare Cottage Cheese Mixture - mix together Cottage Cheese, Eggs, chopped Parsley and Black Pepper.

5. 5

   --- How to Make Lasagna with Cottage Cheese ---

6. 6

   Prepare Assembly- use a 9”x13” baking dish. Preheat oven 350F° (180C°).

7. 7

   Assemble 1st Layer - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the pan (about 1 cup). Lay Lasagna Noodles over the meat sauce - it’s ok if they overlap or if there is a small gap. Spread about ⅓ of the Meat Sauce over the Noodles. Sprinkle ⅓ of the grated Mozzarella Cheese.

8. 8

   Assemble 2nd Layer -lay Lasagna Noodles over the Grated Cheese. Spread the Cottage Cheese Mixture over the Noodles.

9. 9

   Assemble 3rd Layer - lay Lasagna Noodles over the Cottage Cheese. Spread about ⅓ of the Meat Sauce over the Noodles. Sprinkle ⅓ of the grated Mozzarella Cheese.

10. 10

    Assemble Final Layer - lay Lasagna Noodles over the Meat Sauce. Spread remaining Meat Sauce over Noodles. Sprinkle remaining Mozzarella Cheese, add a generous sprinkle of Grated Parmesan.

11. 11

    Bake - cover with Aluminum Foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow cheese to bubble and brown.

12. 12

    Set and Serve - Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the Lasagna to set for easier cutting. Serve with Garlic Bread.