Recipe: My Favorite Lasagna
When I’m feeling lazy, but have a taste for lasagna, sometimes I’ll just throw a frozen lasagna from Lean Cuisine into the microwave.
Ingredients
1/2 lb extra lean ground beef 1 medium onion, diced
1 10oz pkg white mushrooms, finely chopped
1 small green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes
1 cup water
1 – 2 tblsp dried, chopped parsley 3/4 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp sugar 1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cornstarch 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 2 bay leaves (optional)
1 1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese 1 cup fat-free ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 large egg 1 large egg white
1 cup shredded low-fat mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 cup shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
3 tlbsp low-fat cream cheese, cut into small bits
9 lasagna noodles, prepared according to package directions
Sauce Directions
Cook the ground beef, breaking it up into small pieces, until it is browned, 3 – 4 minutes, Add the onion, mushrooms and bell pepper and cook until the vegetables are tender. Add the minced garlic last and cook until any pan juices are evaporated.
Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water and dried seasonings to the beef mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, 20 – 25 minutes. Remove from heat and discard bay leaves (if used).
In a separate bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, egg and egg white. Toss together until well blended.
Assemble the Lasagna
Lightly spray a 9″ x 13″ casserole dish with cooking spray.
Spread 1/4 of the sauce mixture over the bottom of the casserole dish.
Top with 3 lasagna noodles, lying side-by-side.
Spread 1/2 of the cottage cheese mixture over the lasagna noodles.
Evenly spread 1/3 of the dry cheese mixture over that.
Add 1/2 of the cream cheese bits and another 1/4 of the sauce.
Layering 3 more lasagna noodles, the remaining cottage cheese mixture, the remaining cream cheese bits, 1/3 of the dry cheese mixture and 1/4 more of the sauce.
Top with the remaining 3 lasagna noodles, the remaining sauce and the remaining dry cheese mixture.
Loosely cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Uncover and continue baking until cheese melts and the lasagna is heated through and bubbling. About 15 – 30 minutes longer.
Allow to stand for a few minutes before cutting and serving.
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Enjoy!
And my Easy Herbed Breadsticks are the perfect accompaniment!
Sounds delicious! I’ve never put swiss cheese in lasagne….I’ll have to try it!!!
It is not even 9 in the morning here and my mouth is watering for lasagna now. Sounds yummy!
Looks wonderful Suzy!!! Love lasagna of all kinds!!!…
This sounds sooooooo good. I will have to make this one. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty
Good Morning Suzy, Lasagne is a favourite meal in my home, my husband loves it. I love finding new versions of recipes, as we all add a little bit of this and a lot less of that and I noticed that you add paprika, onion powder and cayenne pepper, which I don’t use. Does the onion powder give a more intense onion flavour to the dish? I am making lasagne for Sunday lunch, so I am going to incorporate these three flavourings.
Thank you for this lovely version of lasagne. I have really enjoyed my visit and I have become a new follower.
I would like to invite you to visit Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have the time, as you will be most welcome.
Best Wishes
Daphne
hubby has been begging for lasagna lately! I think I’ll have to try adding some pepperoni this time around, never even thought to do that before. Thank you for sharing on Foodie Friday
Wow, this sounds soooo good. I am pinning and I do so need the low fat version. Hope you are have a blessed day. xoGinger
I am having my morning coffee, but after this post – I want lasagne now! This looks oh so delicious! I know what I am having for dinner tonight 😀