PAULA DEEN LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• To make the sauce: In a stockpot, combine the tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, onions, peppers, garlic, parsley, seasoning mixtures, sugar and bay leaves.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.
• Crumble the ground beef in a saucepan.
• Cook until no pink remains, then drain off the fat.
• Add the ground beef to the stockpot.
• Simmer for another 20 minutes.
• While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• If the sauce is too thin for your taste, you can thicken it up at this time by mixing 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water-- bring the sauce back to a boil and stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly.
• Remove the bay leaves.
• Preheat the oven to 350º F.
• Mix together the cottage cheese with the 1 beaten egg and the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese.
• To assemble the lasagna: Place a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of a 9" x 13" x 2" pan.
• Layer 1/3 each of noodles, cottage cheese mixture, Gruyere, Swiss and Cheddar Cheeses.
• Pinch off small pieces of cream cheese and dot over the other cheeses.
• Add another layer of sauce.
• Repeat layering 2 to 3 times, ending with sauce.
• This may be covered and refrigerated at this point.
• Bake for 20 minutes.
• Remove from oven and top with the Mozarella Cheese and continue to bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
• Note: If the lasagna has been refrigerated, bake for 40 minutes total.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion and garlic in hot oil until soft and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add ground beef to onion mixture; cook and stir until beef is browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir salt, basil, oregano, rosemary, and ground black pepper into beef mixture.
• Whisk water and tomato paste together in a large bowl. Pour tomato paste mixture into beef mixture, bring to a simmer, and cook until sauce is slightly reduced and flavors blend, about 1 hour.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Rinse in cold water and drain.
• Measure out 1 cup mozzarella cheese and set aside.
• Spread about 1/3 the sauce in the bottom of a 9 1/2x15-inch baking dish. Arrange lasagna noodles in a single layer over the sauce, top with 1/2 the ricotta cheese, and 1/2 the remaining mozzarella cheese. Spread 1/3 the sauce over the cheese, top with remaining lasagna noodles, 1/2 the ricotta cheese, and 1/2 mozzarella cheese. Spread last 1/3 the sauce over the top.
• Bake lasagna in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Sprinkle reserved 1 cup mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake until cheese is melted and lasagna is heated through and bubbling, about 15 minutes more. Cool for 10 minutes.