Friday, July 17, 2009

Really Easy Lasagna!

This is actually my own recipe. I have been making it like this since we got married. I LOVE lasagna and everyone always acts like it's too much work to make. With this recipe it really isn't hard or time consuming at all. I never really measure, so I will try to tell you the right amount but feel free to add more or less of any ingredient! Easy Lasagna
1 box lasagna noodles (not the ones that say "no- bake")
2 cans pasta sauce
1 lb. lean ground beef
16 oz. cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg
parsley
salt
pepper
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (to go on top)

Step 1* Brown ground beef (if your family likes onions and garlic then add it now, mine doesn't). Add salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder(if you don't use the real thing) to the ground beef. Pour in the pasta sauce, save jars. Let simmer
Step 2* Mix the cottage cheese, (1 1/2 cups)mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley (I usually just add enough to make it look pretty in the cheese mixture, I also use dried) and some black pepper. Mix.
Step 3* Now assemble. Get a 9*13 pan and put a little of the beef/sauce mixture in the bottom. Then the dry noodles (no need to cook first), just break them to fit. I usually do 4 across and 1 on the side. Then continue- cheese mixture, sauce, noodles. I do three layers. Once at the top, I cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese. IMPORTANT... the jars I told you to save still have a little sauce in them, so I put about a cup of water in each jar and shake to get all the sauce in the water, then I pour the water in each of the 4 corners. Cover with aluminum foil and cook at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, then remove foil and cook another 15- 20 minutes until the cheese is all melted and browned.

I usually make this in the morning or during nap time and just put in the fridge until I'm ready to cook it. Serve with garlic bread and salad. YUM!

Cream Pie Filling


This recipe is really interesting. You wouldn't think it would be very good... but IT IS. I got this recipe from a friend awhile ago (thanks Clenece) and I haven't made Banana Cream Pie like I used to since. It really is delicious, you'll have to try it.


Cream Pie Filling
2/3 cup sugar
3T. Cornstarch
3 egg yokes, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 T. Flour
12 oz. canned evaporated milk
Blend all together. Microwave- 3 minutes- stir, 2 1/2 minutes- stir, 2 minutes- stir, 1 1/2 minutes- stir and 1 minute-stir. Then add; 1 T. butter and 1 1/2 t. vanilla.
*Now to make Banana Cream Pie- cover with plastic wrap and cool completely. Pour 1/2 filling into the bottom of your crust (I used a store bought graham cracker crust, but you can also make your own real pie crust) then cut up bananas in the center and top with the remaining filling.
** Now to make Chocolate Cream Pie- stir 3/4 cup chocolate chips into hot mixture. Cool completely and pour chocolate filling into your desired crust.
************TOP EITHER WITH WHIPPED CREAM*****************