Meat Lasagna

There are days when you just need comfort food, and for me, lasagna is one of them. This lasagna is so delicious and very easy to make, and really doesn't take very long to assemble at all. Lets be honest, it's not the sort of meal that you make one evening after work, but it's perfect for those rainy day weekends we've been getting lately.

In our house we love a meat lasagna, so when I came across this recipe, I knew it would be perfect. It has been a huge hit every time that I make it, since it's got the perfect amount of meat, sauce and cheese. You have to try it - YUM!

Meat Lasagna

Serves 6 good-sized portions

Adapted from For the Love of Cooking

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 pound of extra lean ground beef
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 pinch of red pepper flakes (or more to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 500g container cottage cheese (I used 2 %)
2 large eggs
1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
9 lasagna noodles, cooked per instructions
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (use the good stuff, it tastes better)
4 cups of marinara sauce (homemade or store bought)

Cook over medium heat the onions until they start to soften. Add the ground beef and cook through. Add the garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes and salt & pepper to taste. Once the meat is brown and the onion is tender, add the garlic and cook for approximately 30 to 60 seconds, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, drain any grease, and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together cottage cheese, eggs, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, basil, as well as salt & pepper to taste. Combine until mixed thoroughly.

Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles per instructions then drain.

Once everything is ready to go, layer a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with just enough sauce to cover the bottom of the pan. Lay three lasagna noodles in the pan. Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture on the noodles, then spoon half of the ground beef mixture on top. Sprinkle with a bit of mozzarella and spoon some sauce over the cheese; repeat layering. Finish with a layer of noodles and remaining sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese.

Cover with tinfoil, and bake covered in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes. When you remove it from the oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!