Recipe By : USDA Bulletin #40, 1973, (0100-02712)
Serving Size : 24 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Freezes Well USDA
Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 1/4 lb Lean ground beef
1/3 c Instant minced onion
3/4 ts Garlic powder
4 ts Salt
3/8 ts Red pepper -- crushed
1 tb Oregano
3 tb Parsley flakes
18 oz Tomato paste (3 cans)
24 oz tomato sauce (3 cans)
2 1/4 c Water -- hot
3 lg Eggs -- beaten
3 lb Cream style cottage cheese
1 lb Lasagna noodles (18) -- cooked
12 oz Cheddar cheese -- shredded
3/4 c Parmesan cheese
Line four 8x8" baking pans with heat-resistant freezer wrap. Allow
enough extra wrap to fold over top. Use one pan for each 6 servings
or 1/4th of the recipe. Do not line pans for food to be served
without freezing.
Crumble beef; cook until lightly browned. Stir in onion. Cook until
onion is tender. Drain off fat. Stir in seasonings, tomato paste,
tomato sauce, and water. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
In another bowl, blend eggs with cottage cheese.
In each pan, spread a layer of meat mixture (about 3/4 cup). Add a
layer each of noodles (2-1/4), meat mixture (about 3/4 cup), cottage
cheese mixture (about 3/4 cup), processed cheese (1/3 cup), and
parmesan cheese (1-1/2 tb). Repeat layers until all ingredients are
used. Pack food tightly to avoid air pockets.
To Serve Without Freezing:
Preheat oven to 400 F (hot). Bake 30 minutes or until sauce bubbles
at edges.
To Freeze:
Cool for 30 minutes 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 to 12 hours
before removing packages from the pans.
To Heat Frozen Food:
Preheat oven to 400 F (hot). Remove freezer wrap. Place food in
baking pan. Bake 1-1/4 hours or until sauce bubbles at edges and
center is hot.
Italian Lasagna:
Use ricotta cheese in place of cottage cheese and mozarella cheese in
place of processed cheddar cheese.
Notes:
This recipe is for 24 servings (about 2-1/2 x 4").
Directions are given for dividing the prepared food into 4 parts of
6 servings each. One part may be completely cooked and served at the
time of preparation. The remaining parts may be frozen.
