Directions: |
Directions:Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add noodles once water is boiling. Cook until al dente. Cool and spread out on towels when finished cooking. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook beef and onion until beef is browned. Drain. Add in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water, oregano, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sugar. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes.
While tomato/meat sauce is simmering, in a separate bowl, blend cottage cheese, Parmesan, and egg until smooth. Set aside.
LAYERING
TOMATO MEAT SAUCE. Spread 1 cup of tomato/meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. ***Family size: Use ½ cup in each pan. Couple size: Use ¼ cup in each pan.
NOODLES. Cover sauce with 3 noodles if 9x13 pan (and for each additional noodle layer). ***Family Size = 2 noodles per layer; Couple size = 1 noodle per layer. Fold UNDER ends or cut them off.
TOMATO MEAT SAUCE. Pour one-third of the remaining tomato/meat sauce over noodles.
HALF MOZZARELLA. Sprinkle half the mozzarella over the tomato/meat sauce. If making multiple pans, pro-rate per pan.
NOODLES. Place another layer of noodles over mozzarella.
TOMATO MEAT SAUCE. Add layer of tomato/meat sauce over the noodles.
ALL OF COTTAGE CHEESE MIXTURE. Top with all of the cottage cheese mixture over the tomato/meat sauce.
NOODLES. Add another layer of noodles over the cottage cheese mixture.
TOMATO MEAT SAUCE. Add remaining tomato/meat sauce over the noodle layer.
REMAINING HALF MOZZARELLA. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over final layer of tomato/meat sauce. Be sure no noodles are sticking out!!!
Foil, label, and freeze. Baking directions. Thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered, in preheated oven 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer or until golden and bubbly. |