Cooking web notes

Helen’s Lasagna

Was there such a thing as a “foodie” back in the 50’s?  If there was, I was definitely one of them at a young age because this dish really got my attention. 

I vividly remember going to visit some family friends, Helen and Charles, on Catawba Island, by Lake Erie years ago when I was young.  Swimming and boating on Lake Erie was great but what I really loved was the lasagna that Helen made.  Mom did not cook this type of food when I was growing up and it was love at first bite for me.  She had to get this recipe!

Even though this lasagna recipe is a little time consuming; believe me, it is well worth the effort.  It has thick layers, is super cheesy with a great tomato sauce and lots of spicy meat ~ Italian sausage, pork sausage and ground beef. 

The result of Helen’s recipe is amazing and the best lasagna ever!  I love Italian food and so does Bill.  I forgive him now of years ago driving all around Europe ~ only to end up at the border of Italy several times ~ and never actually visiting the country.  That’s really another story…

Thanks to Helen for the recipe and to Mom for getting it!  It is the best!

Helen’s Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 pound Italian sausage

1 pound pork sausage

1 pound ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1 teaspoon dried basil

1½ teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1 pound can (2 cups) stewed tomatoes

2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste, 1-1/3 cup

8 ounces lasagna noodles, about 7

3 cups small curd cottage cheese, cream style

2 beaten eggs

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced thin

Method:

Brown meat slowly, spoon off excess fat.

Add next 7 ingredients.

Simmer uncovered until sauce is thick, 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Cook noodles in boiling water until tender.

Drain, rinse in cold water.

Meanwhile, combine cottage cheese with eggs, seasonings and Parmesan.

Place half of cooked noodles in a 13 x 9 x 2” pan, baking dish.

Spread half of cottage cheese mixture over noodles.

Arrange half of mozzarella over all.

Spread half of meat sauce on top of mozzarella.

Repeat layers.

Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

Let stand 15 minutes before cutting into squares.

Filling will set slightly.

Serves 8-12

Without a doubt, one of my favorite recipes!  It’s delicious!

Be sure to visit my friend, Linda’s blog @My Kind of Cooking for great tips, recipes and cookbook giveaway! 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 25, 2011 at 8:06 AM and is filed under Beef, Cheese, Cottage cheese, Entree, Garlic, Ground beef, Italian sausage, Mozzarella, Parmesan, Pasta, Pork, Pork sausage, Rotel tomatoes, Sausages. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.