Little Lori's Lasagna

Submitted by Karen in Toronto

"I have named this lasagna recipe after my baby sister Lori who loves it more than anyone I know. She just had her first baby, Ashley Elizabeth, who will also be enjoying this recipe for years to come now that it is posted on recipezaar! It is really easy because there is no need to boil the noodles. Just layer and bake."

 

• Ready In: 2hrs
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 (9 ounce) boxes no-boil lasagna noodles
• 2 (8 ounce) containers sour cream
• 2 (8 ounce) containers cottage cheese, drained
• 500 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 500 g parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1/2 in sauce and 1/2 in meat)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder (1/2 in sauce and 1/2 in meat)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1⁄2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped (3 in tomato sauce & 3 in meat mixture)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 green pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms

directions

1. Combine tomatoes, tomato paste, mushrooms, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp chili powder, all the crushed red pepper flakes and celery salt in a big pot on the stove. Bring to a soft boil then reduce heat and simmer as you prepare the meat.
2. In skillet heat olive oil and add onions. Saute for a couple of minutes then add green pepper and the rest of the spices: 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/4 tsp chili powder, 3 cloves of chopped garlic and oregano. Add meat to this mixture and saute until browned.
3. Add meat mixture to the pot of simmering tomato sauce. Bring to a soft boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring regularly. Remove from heat and allow to cool as you get ready to assemble the lasagna. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4. At the bottom of a large glass or aluminum pan put a layer of meat sauce to prepare the dish. Now start layering: layer of noodles, thin layer of sour cream evenly spread over noodles, thin layer of cottage cheese evenly spread, more meat sauce, sprinkling of mozzarella and parmesan then a layer of noodles and start again: sour cream, cottage cheese, meat sauce, mozza and parmesan.
5. At the top of the lasagna you finish with noodles, sauce and cheeses. Cover with tin foil and bake for 45 minutes then remove foil and broil until cheese is brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool (covered) for 10-15 minutes until you cut it. Enjoy!