Uncle Bill’s Marvelous Lasagna
Description: I developed this recipe many years ago. It is rather lengthy but is worth the effort as it does turn out so good. You may use more cheese if desired.
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours
Servings: 20
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 4 tbsp | Extra virgin olive oil |
| 1 lb | Lean ground beef |
| 2 | Onions |
| 4 cloves | Garlic |
| 6 stalks | Celery ribs |
| 2 | Green peppers |
| 2 cups | Button mushrooms |
| 1 | Zucchini |
| 2 | Carrots |
| 4 cans | Canned plum tomatoes |
| 48 oz | Canned tomato sauce |
| 28 g | Fresh parsley |
| 3 tsp | Dried oregano |
| 3 tsp | Dried basil |
| 3 leaves | Fresh basil |
| 6 dashes | White pepper |
| 1 pinch | Hot red pepper flakes |
| 1 pinch | Ground allspice |
| 2 cups | Dry red wine |
| 16 oz | Frozen spinach |
| 2 cups | Cottage cheese |
| 2 cups | Ricotta cheese |
| 1 tbsp | Extra virgin olive oil |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1/4 cup | Parmesan cheese |
| 1/2 cup | Mozzarella cheese |
| Optional | Emmentaler Swiss cheese |
Instructions:
-
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan, add ground beef and fry until cooked, 6 to 8 minutes.
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Drain off any fat and discard.
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Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil to the frying pan, add chopped onions and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes.
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Add chopped celery, diced green and red peppers, sliced mushrooms, chopped zucchini, and sauté until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Add grated carrots, cover, and cook until carrots are limp, about 4 minutes.
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Transfer this mixture to a large cooking pot.
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Add tomatoes including liquid, tomato sauce, parsley, hot pepper flakes, and allspice and heat to boil.
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Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Blend in wine and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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FILLING: Squeeze water from spinach and discard. Chop spinach small. In a mixing bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, beaten egg, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, mix well, and set aside.
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TO ASSEMBLE: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Use a 10″ x 14″ x 2″ deep, heavy-duty aluminum foil baking dish.
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Layer about 1/2″ of prepared sauce over the bottom. Place enough lasagna sheets to cover the area and press lightly into the sauce.
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Layer another 1/2″ of prepared sauce. Place lasagna sheets over and press lightly into the sauce.
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Add spinach filling and level. Place lasagna sheets over and press lightly into the filling.
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Add another layer of lasagna sheets. Layer another 1/2″ of prepared sauce over. Place another layer of lasagna sheets and press lightly into the sauce.
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Add the remaining sauce over and level. Sprinkle top generously with grated mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over. If desired, grate a 1/2 cup of Emmentaler Swiss cheese and sprinkle over top.
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Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, being careful not to let the foil touch the lasagna.
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Bake in preheated 450 F oven for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 425 degrees F.
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Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
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Remove from oven, cover, and let sit to set for about 5 minutes before cutting.
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Cut into pieces and serve hot.
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Ondine Delverde Lasagna is a brand name and is sold in packages of 15 lasagna sheets and also 3- 8″ x 8″ aluminum foil pans. You can use these pans if desired. This lasagna is pre-cooked and does not require any cooking beforehand. They now make fresh lasagna sheets that do not require pre-cooking. You may also use lasagna strips, but you will require cooking these.
This lasagna recipe is a labor of love, combining rich flavors and hearty ingredients to create a dish that’s perfect for gatherings or special occasions. The layers of savory sauce, creamy cheese, and tender lasagna noodles come together to form a comforting and satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply indulging in a cozy night at home, Uncle Bill’s Marvelous Lasagna is sure to impress with its homemade taste and irresistible aroma. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create a culinary masterpiece that will delight friends and family alike!
