Cookin' It Up In Texas: 12 Layer Lasagna

Ah, Lasagna one of our favorite Italian dishes! This recipe is loaded with cheese and a rich meat sauce. I must confess i'm a big fan of Stouffer's brand frozen lasagna. I find this to be very similar to their recipe! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

First, you'll need to make the meat sauce, i make mine in a 5 quart slow cooker and it yields around 8 cups.

Ingredients for meat sauce:

1 Pound Ground Beef

3 Italian Sausages, i use a mild, (You can also substitute a pack of Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage)

1 Yellow or White Onion, finely minced

3 Cloves of Garlic, minced

2 Carrots, peeled and grated

1 Can Hunt's Garlic and Herb Spaghetti Sauce

2 Cans Petite Diced Tomtatoes, drained

2 Small Cans Tomato Paste

2 Teaspoons of Italian Seasoning

1/2 Teaspoon Oregano

1/2 Teaspoon Basil

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

Brown the ground beef and sausage together in a large skillet on medium heat. Once browned drain any grease and add minced onion. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Add garlic. Cook an additional 3 minutes and add to crock pot.

Add remaining ingredients into crock pot and cook on high for 1 hour. Turn to low and cook an additional 4 hours. Stirring occasionally.

For the lasagna you'll need the following ingredients:

Rich meat sauce

1 Pound Lasagna Noodles

1 Container of Large Curd Cottage Cheese, drained

1 Egg

2/3 Cup Grated Parmesan

1 Tablespoon Dried Parsley

1 8 Ounce Package Sliced Mozzarella

1 8 Ounce Package of Shredded Mozzarella

While meat sauce is cooking put cottage cheese in a strainer over a bowl and let it drain for a few hours. Stirring gently ever so often.

Prepare lasagna noodles as directed on package. You only need 12 pieces for the recipe but i would suggest to make 15 just in case you have any break while cooking.

While noodles are cooking prep the cheese filling.

In a medium bowl beat egg. Add parmesan, dried parsley and drained cottage cheese. Stir well. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350.

Once noodles are done start assembling lasagna in a 13x9 glass baking dish.

Add a layer of meat sauce. Add a layer of noodles, i use about 4 for each layer. Add a layer of half the cheese filling. Top with a layer of mozzarella slices, i use 6 for each layer. Add another layer of meat sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Top with mozzarella slices. Add meat sauce layer. Add the last layer of noodles. Add remaining cheese filling. Add another layer of meat sauce. Top with shredded mozzarella. All together you'll end up with 12 layers.

Cover dish with foil, spraying underside of foil with a non stick cooking spray, this is to ensure the cheese won't stick to the foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes.

You can also assemble this the night before and refrigerate. If you do so, make sure you set out your dish long enough to reach room temperature before cooking.

Remove from oven. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.

Serve with garlic bread and a nice salad.