Lasagna

Lasagna is one of my kids favorite meals. It's one of the meals that everyone really likes. With 11 people in our family, very often there's at least 1 person who isn't completely satisfied with a meal. We like lots of cheese in our lasagna. At one time we lived in Wisconsin and I had a good friend there who brought us lasagna once when I was sick and everyone loved it so this recipe is her recipe with my personal adjustments.

Recipe:

9 homemade pasta lasagna noodles, cooked
1 pint Cottage Cheese
1½-2 lb Mozzarella cheese, grated
1 lb Colby/Jack or Cheddar cheese, grated
1 lb ground beef
4 cloves garlic
6-12 oz tomato paste
3-4 C V-8 juice
2 Tbs onion powder
2 Tbs Italian seasoning
¼ C sucanut or honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Brown beef with garlic and drain. Add tomato paste, juice, onion powder, Italian seasoning, honey, salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes. In 9x13 pan make three layers in the following order. Layer #1--Three noodles on bottom, 1/3 of meat sauce, all of cottage cheese, 1/3 of grated cheeses. Layer #2--Three noodles, 1/3 of meat sauce, 1/3 of grated cheeses. Layer #3--Repeat layer #2. Bake uncovered at 350° until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned, approximately 30-40 minutes.

For Spaghetti Sauce: Make very small meatballs or seasoned (with garlic, salt and pepper) chicken strips and brown with garlic, some fresh mushrooms and 2-3 Tbs butter. Don't drain. Add rest of sauce ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes or more. Serve over spaghetti or rice.