The Pioneer Woman’s (and Charlie’s) Favorite Lasagna

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The Pioneer Woman’s favorite lasagna recipe highlights how easy it can be to make a crowd (and kid) pleasing lasagna. No unusual ingredients, just meat, cheese, noodles, and more cheese. It’s doggone delicious.

A metal baking dish filled with the Pioneer Woman's favorite lasagna on a wooden table.

Adapted from Ree Drummond | Charlie the Ranch Dog | HarperCollins, 2011

Be safe! Always cook with an adult. Don’t touch sharp knives or hot stoves and ovens! And always wash your hands before and after cooking. [Editor’s note: We think more kids’ books ought to divulge recipes, like this one from blogger and home cook The Pioneer Woman. Publishers, what say you? And moms, bear in mind, the recipe is geared towards pleasing kids—and ranch hounds—in both its wording and its ingredients. Woof!]–Ree Drummond

CAN I MAKE THIS LASAGNA AHEAD OF TIME?

If you’re not planning on serving it right away, you can save it for later. Prepare the lasagna up to the point of baking. You can cover and refrigerate the unbaked lasagna for up to 2 days. As well, the unbaked lasagna can be frozen until you’re ready. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then cook as directed.

The Pioneer Woman's Favorite Lasagna

A metal baking dish filled with the Pioneer Woman's favorite lasagna on a wooden table.
The Pioneer Woman's favorite lasagna recipe highlights how easy it can be to make a crowd (and kid) pleasing lasagna. No unusual ingredients, just meat, cheese, noodles, and more cheese. It's doggone delicious.
Ree Drummond

Prep 40 mins
Cook 1 hr 35 mins
Total 2 hrs 15 mins
Entrees
American
8 generous servings
693 kcal
5 / 4 votes
Print RecipeBuy the Charlie the Ranch Dog cookbook

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Ingredients 

  • One (10-ounce) package lasagna noodles
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • Two (14 1/2-ounce) cans whole tomatoes undrained, coarsely chopped or crushed
  • Two (6-ounce) cans store-bought or homemade tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup minced flat-leaf parsley leaves plus 2 additional tablespoons
  • 10 to 12 basil leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups low-fat cottage cheese
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for sprinkling
  • 1 pound sliced mozzarella cheese

Directions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (176°C).
  • Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain them and lay them flat on a sheet of aluminum foil or a baking sheet. Smile and wink at your doggie.
  • In a large skillet or saucepan, combine the ground beef, sausage, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until the meat is browned. Drain off about half the fat. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the basil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 45 minutes. Take your doggie for a walk.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the cottage cheese, eggs, 1 cup of the Parmesan, the remaining 2 tablespoons minced parsley, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir together well.
  • To assemble the Pioneer Woman's lasagna, arrange 4 of the cooked noodles in the bottom of a deep rectangular baking pan, overlapping them slightly if necessary. Spoon 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles and spread it evenly. Cover the cottage cheese with a layer of mozzarella slices. Spoon 1/3 of the meat sauce mixture over the top. Repeat the layers, ending with the remaining meat sauce mixture. Sprinkle the top generously with extra Parmesan.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is hot and bubbly. (If baking the lasagna straight from the refrigerator or freezer, you'll need to allow additional time, up to twice as long or more. If the top begins to brown, cover the pan loosely with foil.) Tell your doggie it won’t be long!
5 / 4 votes
Print RecipeBuy the Charlie the Ranch Dog cookbook

Want it? Click it.

Show Nutrition

Serving: 1portionCalories: 693kcal (35%)Carbohydrates: 5g (2%)Protein: 53g (106%)Fat: 50g (77%)Saturated Fat: 22g (138%)Trans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 207mg (69%)Sodium: 1618mg (70%)Potassium: 534mg (15%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 821IU (16%)Vitamin C: 3mg (4%)Calcium: 509mg (51%)Iron: 3mg (17%)


Originally published May 31, 2011

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