Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 1 |
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A container of refrigerated pesto adds distinctive flavor to this basic beef-and-cheese lasagna, and the unbaked lasagna can be frozen for up to three months. Ingredients:
12 uncooked lasagna noodles |
1 (24-oz.) container 4% small-curd smooth-and-creamy cottage cheese |
1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese |
2 large eggs, lightly beaten |
1/2 cup refrigerated pesto |
1 teaspoon salt |
2 1/2 cups (10 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided |
1 pound lean ground beef |
1/2 cup finely chopped onion |
2 (24-oz.) jars tomato-and-basil pasta sauce |
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare noodles according to package directions. 2. Meanwhile, stir together cottage cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese. 3. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce. 4. Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. 5. Bake, covered, at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes or until cheese is browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving. 6. Note: Freeze unbaked lasagna up to 3 months. To bake, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Let stand 30 minutes; bake as directed. We tested with Classico Di Napoli Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce and both LeGrand Garden Pesto and Buitoni Reduced Fat Pesto with Basil. |
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