The Best Simple Southern Lasagna Recipe -

Up close picture of lasagna on a white plate with a spatula underneath.

Equipment

9x13 baking dish
Large sauce pan
Mixing bowl
Measuring cup and spoons
Spatula

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 pound italian sausage
1 medium onion (diced)
3 cloves garlic
2 14.5 ounce cans tomato sauce
1 14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes
1 6 ounce can tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried basil
3 teaspoons dried oregano
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cottage cheese
24 ounce shredded italian style cheese (seperated for the recipe)
2 tablespoons dried parsley
9 oven ready lasagna noodles

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F
In a large saucepan cook the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Cook until the ground beef and sausage is fully cooked. (Drain any excess grease.)
Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Add the basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until all the spices are well incorporated. Bring the sauce to a boil. When it begins to boil lower the heat and allow it to simmer over low heat for 30 minutes or until the sauce has reached the desired thickness. The longer you let it simmer the thicker it will get and more flavorful.
In a mixing bowl combine the cottage cheese, eggs, 8 ounces of the Italian blend cheese, and the parsley.
In a 9x13 baking dish add a 1/4 of the meat sauce. Spread it out evenly over the bottom of the pan. Next, add 3 lasagna noodles. Then spread the 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the lasagna noodles. Lastly, add 1/3 of the shredded Italian blend cheese. (Save 1/3 of the Italian blend cheese to add to the top of the lasagna.
Repeat step 5 two more times ending with the meat sauce and topping with 1/3 of the Italian blend cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes at 375°F. If you want the cheese on top to brown more you can broil for a few minutes.
Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 - 15 minutes before serving. Allowing it to rest will allow the lasagna to set up properly making it firmer and easier to serve.

Notes

Storage

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If stored properly the lasagna should last 3-4 days.

Reheating

Oven

Place the lasagna in an oven safe dish and place in a cold oven. Set the oven temperature to 250°F and allow the lasagna to slowly warm with the oven for 30 minutes or until it is heated all the way through.

Microwave

Place the lasagna in a microwave safe dish and heat up in 30 second intervals until it is heated all the way through.

Nutrition