American Lasagna (Usda)

Directions

1. Line four 8x8-inch baking pans with heat-resistant freezer wrap. Allow sufficient extra wrap to fold over top. Use one pan for each six servings or possibly one-fourth of the recipe. Don't line pans for food to be served without freezing.
2. Crumble beef; cook till lightly browned. Stir in onion. Cook till onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in seasonings, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Simmer for 5 min, stirring occasionally. In another bowl, blend Large eggs with cottage cheese.
3. In each pan, spread a layer of meat mix (about 3/4 c.). Add in a layer each of noodles (2 1/4), meat mix (about 3/4 c.), cottage cheese mix
4. (about 3/4 c.), processed cheese (1/3 c.), and parmesan cheese (1 1/2 Tbsp.). Repeat layers till all ingredients are used. Pack food tightly to avoid air pockets.
5. TO SERVE WITHOUT FREEZING Preheat oven to 400F. (warm). Bake 30 min or possibly till sauce bubbles at edges.
6. TO FREEZE Cold for 30 min at room temperature. Complete wrapping by pulling paper up over top of food. Put edges of wrap together and fold several times so paper lies directly on top of food. Fold ends of freezer wrap over the top and seal with freezer tape. Label with name of food, date of freezing, and last date the food should be used for best eating quality (about 6 months). Freeze for 10-12 hrs before removing pkgs. from the pans.
7. TO HEAT Frzn FOOD Preheat oven to 400F. (warm). Remove freezer wrap. Place food in baking pan. Bake 1 1/4 hrs or possibly till sauce bubbles at edges and center is warm.
8. VARIATION Italian Lasagna - Use ricotta cheese in place of cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese in place of processed cheddar cheese.