Yummy Lasguna for Dinner

Lasagna Sauce:

1lb of ground beef or mild Italian sausage
2 tbsp of minced garlic
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
1 small can of tomato paste
1 small can of tomato sauce
Season to taste

Also if you like fresh veggies in lasagna I like to use mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, but I refrain when making this for neighborhood gatherings.

• Sautee olive oil and garlic until garlic turns darker in color and your choice of meat; from time to time I like to use half hamburger and half sausage.

• Sautee until meat is about 3/4 of the way cooked, add one jar of spaghetti sauce (pick your favorite), one can of tomato paste, one can of tomato sauce. For seasoning I add about 1tsp of garlic powder, 1tsp ground pepper, 1tsp of Italian seasoning, 1tsp of Oraegon & Basil and top it off with a few shakes (about 3 shakes for a mild tasting) of Red Pepper flakes.

Lasagna Cheese:

1 Package of mozzarella cheese
1 package of Italian blend cheeses
1 package of cottage cheese
1 can of Parmesan cheese
1 medium sized egg

• I prefer to use a cottage cheese mixture rather then Ricotta cheese; I don't notice a taste difference, but do find the cottage cheese mixture to be cheaper. To make the mixture take a 16oz container of cottage cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese and one beaten egg. Mix until well blended and refrigerate.

• Prepare a package of lasagna noodles as instructed. In order to not have to cook this for 3 to 4 hours I prefer to make my lasagna when everything is still warm. I use a throw away lasagna pan; place a small amount of sauce on the bottom and then a layer of noodles, top with sauce and grated mozzarella cheese, second layer is noodles with a topping of cottage cheese, a small amount of sauce and more grated cheese, and repeat until you run out of noodles.

• The finally layer is a mixture of sauce and cheese. Bake at 350 covered, once all the ingredients are heated to 180 degrees - remove foil and bake until top is golden brown and bubbling at the edges. (To speed up the process I will use the broil and cook my garlic bread)

Let it set for 20 minutes and then serve.