No-Fail Lasagna

My mom adapted this from a microwave lasagna recipe picked up at the grocery store and has used it for years. I’ve added some notes about easy ways to customize it to your own taste. It’s virtually impossible to mess it up…you can go a little over or under measurement on all ingredients and it will still turn out. Easy to make the night before, refrigerate, then bake just before company comes. Goes great with Cheesy French Bread, too.

No-Fail Lasagna

1 – 1.5 lbs. ground beef (can use more, or use italian ground turkey for lighter version)

(2) jars prepared spaghetti sauce, any flavor

1/2 c. water

8 oz. uncooked lasagna noodles (about 3/4 of a box)

2 c. light ricotta or small-curd cottage cheese

3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese (or pre-shredded italian cheese mix)

1/2 c. grated parmesan (or parmesan romano)

Cook ground beef/turkey in skillet until lightly browned. Drain off fat. In large bowl, mix spaghetti sauce with water and beef/turkey. In large 13″x9″x2″ or deep rectangular baking dish, spead 1/3 of the meat sauce on the bottom. Cover with 1/2 of the noodles. Spread 1 cup of the ricotta or cottage cheese on top of the noodles.

Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella. Repeat layers once and top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella. Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes. Test doneness by sticking knife into center – noodles should be tender. Make take longer if it was refrigerated overnight. Let set for 5-10 minutes, then cut & serve!

Other suggestions:

• add a layer of fresh spinach or diced, fresh tomatoes (seeded and drained)

• add finely diced carrots or sliced mushrooms to sauce mix

• pour the water into the spaghetti sauce jars, cover & shake, then pour into bowl to get every bit of sauce

• make vegetarian version by using chopped portobella mushroom instead of ground meat

• add more italian herbs like fresh basil or oregano if you like it “herb-ier”

• try with red chili peppers mixed in sauce if you like it zippier

• add pepperoni or turkey pepperoni slices in one layer for a more pizza-like version for kids

lasagna sauce

lasagna ricotta

lasagna mozzarella