Mom’s Classic Lasagna Recipe (w/ Italian Sausage)

Directions

• Brown the Italian sausage or ground beef in a skillet. If making a meatless lasagna, skip this step.
• Stir tomato paste into marinara sauce. Stir cooked meat into sauce (if using meat).
• Boil lasagna noodles in a large pot until al dente. Remove from water, and lay out on towels to remove excess water from them. If the noodles are too hot to handle, place pot in the sink and run cold water into it until the temperature reduces.
• Beat the eggs, and whisk into the cottage cheese until thoroughly mixed. Season mixture with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
• In casserole dish or lasagna pan, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Then lay 3 noodles down, over top the sauce.
• Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles, and then layer on 3 more noodles.
• Spread out another layer of sauce, and then add 3 more noodles.
• Spread the other half of the cottage cheese mixture, then add 3 more noodles.
• Add another layer of sauce, 3 more noodles, and one final layer of sauce.
• Distribute all of the mozzarella cheese over top of the entire thing.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50-60 minutes, or until the mozzarella cheese is melted and golden in color.
• Let lasagna rest on the counter for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve.
• If freezing, allow to cool to room temperature, and then cover with foil and refrigerate for several hours. Then remove foil and flash freeze for 2 hours. At that point, you can vacuum seal the individual slices and then they are ready to store in the freezer.