Ultimate Comfort Lasagna
Lasagna is a dish that many people hold dear, and this version elevates the classic comfort food to new heights without complicating the process. This Ultimate Comfort Lasagna combines the rich flavors of ground beef and spicy breakfast sausage with a robust tomato sauce that’s enhanced by fragrant garlic and herbs. The creamy layers of cottage cheese and beaten eggs create a delightfully rich filling, topped with gooey mozzarella that melts beautifully. This recipe embraces simplicity without sacrificing flavor, making it accessible for any home cook. Whether you’re preparing a family meal or feeding a crowd, this lasagna is sure to impress and satisfy!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Beef
1.5 lbs (raw)
Breakfast Sausage (hot)
1 lb (raw)
Garlic cloves
2 (minced)
Whole Tomatoes
2 (14.5 ounce cans) (canned)
Tomato Paste
2 (6 ounce cans) (canned)
Dried Parsley
4 tablespoons (dried)
Dried Basil
2 tablespoons (dried)
Salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Cottage Cheese
3 cups (dry)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Parmesan Cheese (grated)
1/2 cup (grated)
Mozzarella Cheese (sliced)
1 lb (sliced)
Lasagna Noodles
1 (10 ounce package) (cooked)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, according to package instructions.
2
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
3
In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the ground beef, breakfast sausage, and minced garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until the meat is browned and cooked through.
4
Drain off excess fat from the skillet, reserving some for flavor if desired.
5
Add the canned whole tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of dried parsley, dried basil, and salt to the meat mixture. Stir to combine and let it simmer for a few minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
6
In a separate medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, beaten eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of dried parsley, and remaining salt. Mix well and set aside.
7
Once the lasagna noodles are cooked, drain them and set aside to cool slightly.
8
To assemble the lasagna, spread 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. If needed, slightly overlap the noodles to fit.
9
Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles, smoothing it out evenly.
10
Layer half of the mozzarella cheese slices over the cottage cheese mixture.
11
Next, add a layer of the meat sauce, using a little less than half of the mixture. Spread it evenly.
12
Repeat the layers: another set of noodles, the remaining cottage cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and finally the rest of the meat sauce on top.
13
Finish with a generous sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese on the top layer.
14
Cover with foil (avoid touching the cheese) and bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes. For a golden top, you can remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking.
15
Once hot and bubbly, let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What meats are used in the Ultimate Comfort Lasagna?
The recipe uses 1.5 lbs of ground beef and 1 lb of hot breakfast sausage.
How many servings does this lasagna recipe make?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Does this recipe use cottage cheese or ricotta?
This specific recipe uses 3 cups of cottage cheese for the creamy filling.
How much mozzarella cheese is required?
You will need 1 lb of sliced mozzarella cheese.
How long should the lasagna bake in the oven?
It should bake for 20 to 30 minutes in total.
Should I cover the lasagna while it bakes?
Yes, cover it with foil, making sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
How do I get a golden top on the lasagna?
Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to brown the top.
What kind of tomatoes are used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for two 14.5-ounce cans of whole tomatoes and two 6-ounce cans of tomato paste.
How many eggs are added to the cheese mixture?
Two beaten eggs are mixed into the cottage cheese filling.
What herbs provide the flavor for this lasagna?
Dried parsley and dried basil are used to season the meat and cheese layers.
Should the lasagna noodles be cooked before assembly?
Yes, cook them in salted water until al dente according to the package instructions.
What size baking dish is needed?
A greased 9x13-inch baking dish is required.
How much garlic is used in the meat sauce?
Two minced garlic cloves are cooked with the meat.
Is the mozzarella cheese shredded or sliced?
The recipe specifically calls for sliced mozzarella cheese.
What is the role of the Parmesan cheese?
Grated Parmesan is mixed into the cottage cheese filling and also sprinkled on top of the final layer.
How much dried parsley is used in total?
A total of 4 tablespoons of dried parsley is used, divided between the meat sauce and the cheese mixture.
Do I need to drain the meat after cooking?
Yes, you should drain off the excess fat, though you can reserve some for flavor.
How many layers of noodles are used in the assembly?
The assembly involves two main sets of noodle layers (4 noodles per set).
Why should the lasagna cool before serving?
Letting it cool for a few minutes allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice.
What is the total weight of the lasagna noodles needed?
One 10-ounce package of lasagna noodles is used.
Can I use mild sausage instead of hot?
Yes, while the recipe calls for hot breakfast sausage, you can substitute it with mild sausage if you prefer less heat.
Is the cottage cheese used dry or wet?
The recipe list specifies 3 cups of 'dry' cottage cheese, which often implies a small curd or well-drained variety.
When is the dried basil added?
The dried basil is added to the meat mixture along with the tomatoes and tomato paste.
How much salt is used in the recipe?
Two teaspoons of salt are used, divided between the meat sauce and the cheese filling.
What is the first step in assembling the layers?
The first step is spreading 4 cooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of the greased baking dish.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking after cooking?
Drain them and set them aside to cool slightly before starting the assembly process.
What type of category does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized as an Italian comfort food dish that takes less than 60 minutes of active prep/cook time.
Is the meat sauce simmered?
Yes, after combining the meat, tomatoes, paste, and herbs, let it simmer for a few minutes before assembling.
What is the final topping for the lasagna?
The final layer is a generous sprinkle of extra grated Parmesan cheese.