Classic Beef Lasagna

Ingredients

• •8 oz lean ground beef
• •⅓ cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
• •½ cup tomato paste
• •6 tbsp water
• •½ cup onion, chopped
• •1½ tsp granulated sugar
• •⅜ tsp salt
• •¾ tsp dried basil
• •¼ tsp garlic powder
• •¾ tsp dried oregano
• •¼ tsp ground thyme
• •⅛ tsp ground black pepper
• •1 pinch cayenne pepper
• •1 large eggs
• •1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
• •⅔ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• •3½ tbsp grated parmesan
• •¾ tsp dried parsley flakes
• •1 tsp olive oil
• •4 pieces lasagna noodles
• •1 piece aluminum foil

Method

Adapted from the Armed Forces Recipe Service

1. 1Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
2. 2Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
3. 3Drain off excess fat.
4. 4Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water, chopped onion, sugar, salt, basil, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and ground red pepper to the beef.
5. 5Stir until combined.
6. 6Cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and the onion is tender.
7. 7Remove the sauce from the heat.
8. 8In a medium bowl, beat the egg.
9. 9Add the cottage cheese, mozzarella, 2½ tbsp grated Parmesan, and parsley flakes to the egg.
10. 10Stir the filling until evenly combined.
11. 11Preheat the oven to 325°F.
12. 12Lightly coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with the olive oil.
13. 13Break the lasagna noodles into pieces sized to fit the loaf pan.
14. 14Spread ⅓ cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of the pan.
15. 15Arrange one-third of the broken noodle pieces in rows over the sauce, leaving small gaps between the pieces -- the noodles will not fully cover the sauce.
16. 16Spread half the cheese filling evenly over the noodles.
17. 17Spread ⅔ cup of the meat sauce over the filling.
18. 18Arrange another one-third of the broken noodle pieces in rows over the sauce, leaving small gaps between the pieces.
19. 19Spread the remaining cheese filling evenly over the noodles.
20. 20Spread ⅔ cup of the meat sauce over the filling.
21. 21Arrange the last of the broken noodle pieces in rows over the sauce, leaving small gaps between the pieces.
22. 22Spread the remaining meat sauce over the top.
23. 23Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan over the top.
24. 24Cover the pan tightly with foil.
25. 25Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes, covered.
26. 26Uncover and bake 10 more minutes, until the noodles are tender and a food thermometer inserted in the center reads at least 160°F.
27. 27Remove the lasagna from the oven.
28. 28Let it stand 10 to 15 minutes before cutting, to let the cheese set.
29. 29Cut into 4 portions.
30. 30Serve.