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Italian-American Lasagna Recipe

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4.2 from 12 reviews

This classic Italian-American lasagna features layers of tender no-cook egg noodles, hearty Italian meat sauce, creamy cottage cheese filling, and a blend of melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, this comforting dish serves six and makes a perfect family meal.

Ingredients

Lasagna

  • 1 lb dried egg lasagna noodles (no-cook noodles)
  • 3 cups Italian meat sauce

Cottage Cheese Filling

  • 24 ounces whole milk cottage cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper

Cheeses

  • 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (reserve 1/4 cup for topping)
  • 1/2 cup whole milk shredded mozzarella
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Make the Italian Meat Sauce: Prepare or use your favorite Italian meat sauce ready for layering in the lasagna.
  2. Check Lasagna Noodles: Confirm whether your lasagna noodles are no-cook or require pre-cooking as per the package instructions.
  3. If Cooking Lasagna Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles for slightly more than half the time recommended on the package to keep them firm. Drain and lay noodles side by side on a kitchen towel to prevent sticking.
  4. Make Cottage Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine eggs, whole milk cottage cheese, kosher salt, ground nutmeg, and black pepper. Mix well until thoroughly blended.
  5. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
  6. Reserve Cheese: Set aside 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese for the topping layer.
  7. Prepare Baking Dish: Use a 9x11 inch baking dish. Spread a thin, even layer of meat sauce (about 3/4 cup) on the bottom to prevent sticking.
  8. Layer Noodles: Place one layer of lasagna noodles evenly without overlapping, trimming if necessary to fit.
  9. Add Cottage Cheese Mixture: Spread approximately 3/4 cup of the cottage cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  10. Sprinkle Parmesan: Sprinkle some grated Parmesan over the cottage cheese layer.
  11. Continue Layers: Add another layer of noodles, followed by 3/4 cup of meat sauce spread evenly over the noodles.
  12. Repeat Layering: Repeat layering noodles, cottage cheese mixture, Parmesan, and meat sauce until reaching the final noodle layer.
  13. Final Layer Preparation: End with a layer of noodles topped with meat sauce.
  14. Add Cheese Topping: Top with fresh sliced mozzarella, shredded mozzarella, and the reserved 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly spread on top.
  15. Bake: Bake uncovered on the middle rack of the oven for 30-40 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and golden brown on top.
  16. Cool and Serve: Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving to let it set properly.

Notes

  • Use no-cook lasagna noodles to save time and avoid boiling, but if using regular noodles, partially cook as instructed.
  • Reserve some Parmesan cheese to add on top for enhanced flavor and a golden crust.
  • Allow the baked lasagna to rest for 10 minutes to make slicing easier and prevent it from falling apart.
  • You can prepare the meat sauce ahead of time to streamline assembly.
  • Thinly slice the fresh mozzarella for even melting throughout the top layer.

Find it online: https://dishcooks.com/italian-american-lasagna-recipe/