Howe House Lasagna

Here we are at cheat day again. My husband says I am really good to have around on cheat day because I have lots of good diet-crashing ideas. It's just a gift. Today I decided to make lasagna for him.  Now, you may recall he is not a noodle man, but he does love my lasagna. I got this recipe out of the Columbia Tribune (that's Missouri, folks) about ten years ago, and it's my go-to for "regular" lasagna. It's not fancy at all, doesn't feed a ton of people (6 max) because there are only 2 layers, and it doesn't use ricotta cheese (which my husband finds slightly repulsive). If you want a gourmet lasagna, this is not it. If you want a solid, delicious, basic lasagna with equal meat to noodle ratio that your 5 year old can help you assemble, this is for you. I had to text my sister in a panic yesterday because I could not find my beloved, tattered newspaper clipping. Thankfully, she had the recipe card I wrote off for her many years ago and swiftly saved the day. Losing the recipe was a blessing in disguise, because when she texted me the recipe she said she often makes Mel's garlic cheese bread to go with it. I had planned to just do bread and oil/parmesan, but after looking at the recipe she suggested, I could consider no other option. Holy Moly, hold onto your taste buds. This garlic cheese bread is one of the most amazing things to enter my mouth, people. It's divine, totally horrible for you, and deserves to be alongside every Italian meal you prepare for those you love. Go big or go home.


Howe House Lasagna
-from Columbia Daily Tribune, circa 2003 or 2004. I lost the clipping, remember?

-1 lb hamburger
-1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
-1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
-1 t. cumin (what's that, you say? A Mexican spice making its way into lasagna? Yes, ma'am. I promise it won't taste Mexican-y. I was skeptical, too, but it's really delicious.)
-1 t. basil
-1 t. oregano
-1 egg
-1 small carton cottage cheese
-2 T. fresh minced parsley
-3/4 cup parmesan
-2 cups mozzarella
-8 cooked lasagna noodles

Brown beef, then add spices, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes. Simmer for 15 minutes. Mix egg, cottage cheese, parsley, and parmesan together in small bowl. In 9x13 pan, spread a spoon or two of sauce in the bottom. Layer 4 noodles, 1/2 cottage cheese mixture, 1/2 mozzarella, 1/2 meat. Repeat. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

My sous chef

Learning to layer

A mess of lasagna (because shame on me, I didn' t let it rest, some baby kale, and the cheese bread I am about to turn you on to.