Lasagna Reg and Gluten Free

Every cook has some dishes that make her 'famous' among the people who are invited to eat around her table.  One of mine is my Lasagna.  I have a recipe given to me by a co-worker many years ago and the original recipe card is faded and discolored 

When I had to eliminate gluten from my diet (as well as for my daughter and granddaughter)  I was very relieved to find that my Lasagna recipe did not need to change.    All I had to do was exchange the wheat lasagna noodles for gluten-free ones and there is no perceivable difference in preparation or in the eating  of it !

My favorite gluten free lasagna noodles are the Kinnikinnick ones -- either regular or brown rice ones.  

If you are cooking dinner for someone who has Celiac or simply gluten/wheat restricted this is an easy meal to make .. all you have to do is buy the gf noodles. Serve it with a salad and dessert and everyone is happy!   

Meat Sauce 

• 1 cup chopped onion 
• 1/2 cup minced celery 
• 1/4 cup oil 
• 2 lbs ground lean beef 
• 1 1/2 tbsp salt 
• 2 - 28 oz tins of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce (or one of each)  -- for gluten-free do NOT use tomato soup since it has flour in it ) 
• 2- 6 oz tins of tomato paste 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 2 tsp sugar 
• 1 tsp oregano 
• 1 tbsp. parsley flakes 
• 1 tsp black pepper 
• 1/4 tsp garlic 

1. In heavy roasting pan cook onions and celery in oil until cooked but not browned. 
2. Add beef and cook stirring until meat is no longer pink. 
3. Add remaining ingredients mixing well. 
4. Cook covered in 325 degree oven for 2 1/2 - 3 hours  - it will be nice and thick. 
5. Sauce can be used immediately or frozen in containers for future use.  

Lasagna  ( for a dish 13" x 9 1/2") 

• 5 cups meat sauce 
• 1 pkg lasagna noodles (wheat or gluten free) 
• boiling salt water (if desired to pre soften noodles) 
• 1 lb. cottage cheese (creamed) 
• 1/2 lb. mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

1. I don't precook my lasagna noodles but if you prefer to cook them, do so according to instructions on the box. 
2. Spread 1/2 of noodles in baking dish. 
3. Cover with half of the meat sauce. 
4. Cover meat sauce with 1/2 of cottage cheese 
5. Cover cottage cheese with 1/2 of mozzarella slices 
6. Repeat layers with the remaining noodles,  meat sauce, cottage cheese, mozzarella slices 
7. Cover lightly with a layer of tinfoil  and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.