Best Homemade Lasagna

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 6 lasagna noodles
• 4 oz. ground beef
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 jar of marinara sauce
• 8 oz. cottage cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. Prepare lasagna noodles according to the package.  Save some of the pasta water for the meat sauce, if desired.  Drain and lay the pasta out in a single layer to avoid sticking and let the pasta cool, then cut each strip in half to create 12 shorter noodles.
2. While the noodles are cooking, brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat and drain.  Set aside.
3. In the same pan, saute the onion until it is translucent, 3-5 minutes.  Add the seasonings and cook until fragrant.  Add the meat back in with the marinara sauce and heat through.  Stir in the cottage cheese until incorporated.  Add some pasta water to the sauce if it gets too thick.
4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Grease a 9x9" baking pan and set it aside.
5. To assemble: Add a little meat sauce to the bottom of the baking pan.  Layer 3 lasagna noodles then top with a portion of the meat sauce and spread evenly.  Repeat 3 more times for a total of 4 layers.  Top the last layer of meat sauce with the cheddar cheese. 
6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake, covered, for 30 minutes.  Afterward, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
7. Let the lasagna cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.  Enjoy with a salad and garlic bread.