American Lasagna



INGREDIENTS:

2 1/4  pounds  lean ground beef

1/3  cup  instant minced onion

3/4  teaspoon  garlic powder
 
4  teaspoons  salt

3/8  teaspoon  red pepper -- crushed

1  tablespoon  oregano

3  tablespoons  parsley flakes

18  ounces tomato paste -- 3 (6-oz) cans

24  ounces tomato sauce -- 3 (8-oz) cans

2 1/4  cups hot water

3 large  eggs -- beaten

3 pounds cream style cottage cheese

1 pound lasagna noodles -- cooked, (18 noodles)

12 ounces processed cheddar cheese -- shredded

3/4  cup parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1. Line four 8x8-inch baking pans with heat-resistant freezer
wrap. Allow enough extra wrap to fold over top.  Use one pan
for each six servings or one-fourth of the recipe.  Do not line
pans for food to be served without freezing.

2. 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.

3. 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 tablespoons).  Repeat layers until all
ingredients are used.  Pack food tightly to avoid air pockets.

TO SERVE WITHOUT FREEZING

Preheat oven to 400=B0 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 10-12 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.



American Lasagna