I have been graced in my life with a passion for cooking and I am very skilled at it.I have never taken cooking classes, everything I cook I learned from watching others and experimenting. Since I was young I have taken pride in feeding friends and family. I put all of my heart and soul into the meals I prepare for them. I love hearing how great my food is.
When my children tell me that they want me to make their favorite meal and I ask what it is they tell me they want "Lasagna",..."mom's lasagna".
I am going to tell you how to make MY lasagna, remember that on top of the ingredients that go into the meal, the most important ingredient is LOVE.
To make this dish you will need the following ingredients.
The amount of ingredients needed depends upon the size of the pan you are using to prepare it, so the following ingredient's listed are meant to make about 24 servings. This pan weighs about 35 pounds once the lasagna is prepared.
Use a 9x13x4" NON STICK pan to bake the lasagna.
CHEESY MEAT LOVER'S LASAGNA WITH CHEESY GARLIC BREAD
You will need:
1 Pint Mushrooms (optional)
2 Large Green Peppers
2 Large Onions
6 Sweet Italian Sausage Links
6 Hot Italian Sausage Links
1 Large Stick Of Pepperoni (about 6 oz)
3 Pounds of 85% Lean Ground Hamburger
2 Pounds of Lasagna Noodles
3 Pounds of Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3 Pounds Cottage Cheese (1 lg or 2 med size containers)
2 Pounds Ricotta Cheese (1 lg or 2 med size containers)
6 Large Eggs
6 Cans Of Hunts Spaghetti Sauce (or prego or ragu or make yourself)
GARLIC BREAD
1 Large Loaf of Italian or French Bread
Butter
Garlic (fresh or jarred)
Garlic Powder
In a large pot bring water to a boil and add the lasagna noodles until cooked, about 15 minutes, Drain.
WHILE THE NOODLES ARE COOKING:
Chop the green peppers and dice the onions, put them in an extra large skillet. Crumble up the hamburger, slice up the pepperoni, and take the sausage out of the skin, place all the meat into the same skillet as the peppers and onions and cook on medium heat until completely brown, making sure the sausage is cooked through. Once done, drain the meat and place into a large bowl, slice the mushrooms if you choose to use them and place them in the same bowl with the meat,add your sauce of choice and mix completely.
MIX IN A LARGE BOWL:
Combine all 3 pounds of cottage cheese and 3 pounds of ricotta cheese in a large bowl, once mixed together add the six eggs (use the whole egg) mix until it is smooth and creamy, using a spoon or whisk.
Set the oven to 350 degree's.
Take your 9x13x4" pan and put a layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of the pan, top with a layer of mozzarella cheese, add a layer of noodles, top the noodles with the cottage cheese and ricotta cheese mix, top with mozzarella cheese, top with noodles, add another layer of meat sauce, top with mozzarella cheese and add more noodles, then cottage cheese and ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. continue to layer in this manner, make sure to top off each and every layer with mozzarella cheese. The very top layer will be meat sauce topped heavily with mozzarella cheese. Place in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
While this is cooking, slice your French Bread or Italian Bread length wise, mix softened butter with crushed garlic (fresh or jarred, either is fine) add a little garlic powder, spread this on your two loaf sections then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Put this in the oven about 10 minutes before your lasagna is done.Should be done at the same time as your lasagna.
You can also make your favorite salad to go with this. I personally like making a tossed green salad with tomatoes and cucumbers and a little cheddar cheese.
After you remove the lasagna, let it sit and cool for a few minutes. The recipe should make about 24 servings, more if you like smaller pieces.
Slice your lasagna. Serve with a piece of cheesy garlic bread and a bowl of salad!
Enjoy!!
