Company Lasagna

I’ve been making this recipe for years out of a cook book I bought at Marshall Field’s before I was married. It’s really been one of the few cookbooks I own and still have. My sister, Katie, who is the true cook of the family always teases me about that but let me say she also loves when I make Company Lasagna with Grandpa’s Meatball Mix! -Stephanie

Ingredients: 

One Batch Bag of Grandpa’s Meatball Mix 

1 lbs. of lean ground beef 

2  tablespoon of olive oil 

2 (14 ½ oz) cans of whole tomatoes

12 oz. can of tomato paste

8 oz. can of tomato sauce

Salt and pepper

12 oz. carton of large curd cottage cheese

15 oz. carton Ricotta cheese

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 egss, beaten 

2 tablespoons parsley flakes

1 tablespoon dried basil leaves

12 lasagna noodles 

3 whole basil leaves

16 oz. thinly sliced or grated Mozzarella cheese 

 In a large skillet over medium-high heat add oil and cook 2 minutes, then add Grandpa’s Mix and stir and cook 2 more minutes or until bread crumbs are toasted.  Add ground meat and cook until browned, breaking it apart with your spatula into crumbles. Drain. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 30 minutes uncovered, stirring often. 

Meanwhile combine cottage cheese, Ricotta cheese, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, Parmesan cheese, eggs, 2 tablespoons parsley flakes and 1 tablespoon basil; mix well. 

Cook lasagna noodles as directed on package, adding 3 basil leaves to water and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drain and rinse in cold water to stop cooking. 

Heat oven to 350 degrees. 

n a 9x13x2 inch pan: 

Layer half of the noodles

Half of the cottage cheese mixture

Half of the Mozzarella cheese

Half of the sauce

Repeat layers 

Sprinkle with Paremesan cheese

Bake 35-40 minutes. 12 servings. 

Tip: Lasagna can be made ahead and refrigerated; bake 45-60 minutes. When I make lasagna (really anything with more than a handful of ingredients)  I always make 2 and freeze one or give it away. It’s all about having the ingredients, putting one more together takes no time at all. 

Serve with crusty bread, green salad and red wine (if that’s your thing). My mom would always slice oranges, layer them on a serving tray and lightly drizzle with olive oil and then salt and pepper. Try it!!