Classic Lasagna

So we needed to add some pasta to the menu this week - so I figured I would make up some lasagna since that is the BEST leftover meal out there :)  I have to say - this might be my new favorite recipe for lasagna!  I literally licked the cheese mixture from the bowl I had mixed it in ....soooo good!!!  I listed another "old school" recipe I have from my Grandma.  That one is also really good - but has cottage cheese instead of ricotta, so try it out and let me know which one you like better!!!

Serves 8 - Bride and Groom Cookbook

Ingredients
8 oz ground beef
8 oz Italian sausage links, removed from casings and crumbled
salt and pepper
6 cups Marinara sauce (2 jars - 26oz each)
8 oz ricotta cheese
8 oz cream cheese (at room temp)
1 cup (2oz) grated Parmesan cheese
1 package (8oz:12 sheets) no boil lasagna noodles
1 cup lightly packed fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
2 cups (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 375.  Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with veggie oil cooking spray.  Combine the beef and sausage in a large saute pan over medium-high heat.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook until the meat is lightly browned, 8-10 minutes.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the meat to a medium bowl.  Add the marinara sauce to the meat and stir to combine.  Set aside.

Mix the ricotta cheese, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl.  Season with pepper - set aside.

Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1 cup meat sauce.  Arrange a single layer of uncooked lasagna noodles (3 sheets) on top of the sauce.  Spread 1.5 cups of the meat sauce evenly on top.  Add half of the cheese mixture by spoonfuls evenly over the meat sauce, then scatter half of the basil leaves on top.  Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, 1.5 cups of meat sauce, remaining cheese mixture, and remaining basil leaves.  Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, 1.5 cups of meal sauce, and a final layer of lasagna noodles.  Spread remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese.

Cover with foil - and bake for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 10-15 minutes more.  Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.

Lasagna - from Grandma Green

Serves 6

Ingredients:
1lb beef
1/2 cup onion
Large can tomato sauce
Small can tomato paste
Basil
Oregano
Garlic
12 lasagna noodles
Cottage cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese
Slices mozzarella cheese

Brown hamburger - add 1/2 cup chopped onion.  Cook till tender.  Add large can tomato sauce, small can tomato paste, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon basil, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic.  Cover and simmer 1.5 hours.

Cook about 12 lasagna noodles.  Line a 9x9 pan - spoon sauce on top.  Sprinkle 2 tablespoon cottage cheese, then 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, 2 slices mozzarella cheese.  Repeat until last layer - omit mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle with grated cheese. 

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.  Remove from oven and let sit for 15 minutes.