Grandma'S Lasagna
A hearty, layered lasagna featuring rich tomato sauce, cheesy layers, and savory ground beef, perfect for family dinners and comfort food enthusiasts.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb hamburger ⓘ
- 1 large can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato paste ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp parsley flakes ⓘ
- 1 tsp basil ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp oregano ⓘ
- 2 to 3 Tbsp sugar ⓘ
- 1 small container small kernel cottage cheese ⓘ
- 1 pkg mozzarella cheese (8 slices)
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
- Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 6 lasagna noodles ⓘ
- 1 egg ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the hamburger; drain.
- Add tomato sauce, tomato paste (rinsed with a little water), parsley flakes, basil, oregano, sugar, and salt.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer with lid on for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Beat the egg and add it to the cottage cheese.
- Sprinkle with pepper.
- Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water with vegetable oil and salt.
- Line the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass dish with 2 to 3 tablespoons of the hamburger mixture.
- Place 3 noodles on top.
- Add half of the remaining hamburger mixture.
- Spread half of the cottage cheese mixture on top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Top with mozzarella cheese slices.
- Repeat layers: noodles, remaining hamburger mixture, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella.
- Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 30 minutes until the cheese melts.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding chopped onions and garlic when browning the hamburger. You can substitute the cottage cheese with ricotta if preferred. If you're short on time, use no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify the process. To enhance the sauce, a splash of red wine or Italian herbs can be added, similar to those found in Vodka Rigatoni.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Grandma's Lasagna with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. A light Italian wine pairs beautifully with this dish, enhancing the flavors of the rich tomato sauce. For a twist, consider serving it alongside Coreen'S Ono Skillet Spaghetti, making a delightful Italian-themed dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. Lasagna can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just ensure it's tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Grandma'S Lasagna contains roughly 997 calories, with 24g protein, 104g carbohydrates, and 66g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (176% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1338mg per serving (58% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator before baking. Just allow a little extra time for baking if it's coming straight from the fridge. This not only saves time but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
What can I use instead of mozzarella cheese?
If you don't have mozzarella on hand, you can use provolone or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile. Just make sure the cheese melts well for that deliciously gooey topping that lasagna is known for.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the hamburger and replace it with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. You can also add spinach to the cottage cheese mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).