Grandma Gen’s “Lazagna”
Leading Lady Spotlight: This recipe comes straight from my Grandma Gen’s kitchen, a woman who not only raised nine (yes, nine!) biological children, but also opened her heart to two more after their parents tragically passed, leaving my mom’s upbringing just one sibling shy of Cheaper by the Dozen. When I think of Grandma Gen, I picture a woman who never met a stranger, who loved coffee with her girlfriends, and who always had something simmering on the stove. She hosted the most inviting holidays and welcomed her many grandchildren into the kitchen with small tasks, like churning butter (yes, by hand!), before sending us back outside to run wild or into the depths of her Quaker home, which we were told had once been part of the Underground Railroad and as a result, held the best hiding spots. So it feels only right to share this “lazagna” recipe with family. The red sauce and hearty meat bring a comfort akin to the warmth of only your own grandma’s hugs.
What You’ll Need
Pasta
1 package lasagna noodles
Meat Sauce
1 1/2 lbs ground red meat
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbs parsley flakes
1 tbs basil
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 (1 lb) can tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
Cheese Sauce
3 cups large curd cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
2 tbs parsley flakes
1 lb mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
How to Make
Preheat oven to 350°F.
First, let’s make our Meat Sauce
In a skillet, cook ground meat with garlic. Stir in parsley, basil, salt, tomatoes, and tomato paste. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
Now, let’s prep our Cheese Sauce
Combine cottage cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, parsley flakes, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl. Mix well.
Next, it’s time to assemble the “Lazagna”
Assemble the Lasagna in a baking dish, layer as follows: Noodles, Cheese sauce, Mozzarella, Meat sauce. Repeat layers as needed until ingredients are used up. To do it the way Grandma Gen does it, make sure your top layer a generous layer of cheese.
Finally, let’s get it in the oven!
Bake for 30 minutes, until cooked through and golden brown on top. Let stand for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!
💕 Original Recipe Card from Grandma Gen’s Kitchen 💕
