Grandma's Lasagna

As promised last week, here is one of my favorite recipes. My mother-in-law prepared this for her family on a regular basis. We enjoy Grandma's lasagna and apparently others do too because when I take a bubbly hot pan of this delectable dish to potlucks, I am frequently asked for the recipe. I have heard that cooking for your family is a way to express your love for them. To tell the truth, I was not aware that cooking=love, but learning that made me realize that preparing and serving meals means more than just putting food on the table. On nights when I am struggling with what to make for dinner I am reminded that the meal I put together for my family, whether grilled cheese sandwich or standing rib roast, I am not only feeding them, I am also expressing my love for them.

Please pass the lasagna and a helping of love!

Peace and Joy,

Laurie

Lasagna

1lb. mild Italian sausage, browned

1lb. sharp Cheddar cheese, grated

1lb. Monterey Jack cheese, grated

3 cups Cottage cheese, small curd

1lb. lasagna noodles, uncooked

3 jars good spaghetti sauce

Parmesan cheese

Brown sausage, set aside. Mix together the Monterey Jack cheese and the cottage cheese, set aside. Using a 9x13 pan, put a layer of sauce to cover the bottom of the pan. Lay in three uncooked noodles lengthwise and break up one additional noodle to fit at the open end of the pan. Add another layer of sauce on top of the uncooked noodles. Next add 1/3 of the browned sausage. Then add 1/3 of the Monterey Jack/cottage cheese mixture. Finally add 1/3 of the Cheddar cheese. Repeat starting with the sauce-noodles-sauce. Repeat for the third and final time. Top with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before cutting. Serves 12 hearty portions. The lasagna can be refrigerated before baking.