I was never much of a cook until I was a few years into my marriage. Growing up, my mom always had delicious, healthy, home cooked meals on the table most nights of the week. We almost always sat down to eat as a family, though sometimes on the fly as we ran in and out from practices, meetings, and training. One regret I have from my younger years is not learning more about cooking and meal planning/prepping before moving from my parents’ home.  

Food has always been a big part of our family gatherings, as it is for many families. Many fond memories have been made in the kitchens of my grandmothers, aunts, and mom. I enjoyed the cooking segment of home economics class, and I have always enjoyed baking. However, actually sitting down and figuring out a healthy, delicious, well-balanced meal for a group of people? Never in my life did I think it would be something I would enjoy doing – and lasagna was a dish I always figured was off-limits to in-experienced cooks. Luckily, when I moved out on my own, I went through my mom’s recipe cards and favorite cookbooks to bring a few with me, and this one for Potluck Lasagna has been a hit for years in my family and anywhere else I take it to share! 

Ingredients for Potluck Lasagna 

The ingredients for this lasagna recipe are simple and standard. Lasagna noodles: regular lasagna noodles, whole wheat or regular will work. They do not have to be the “oven ready” type. Ground meat: I use lean ground beef or ground venison for the best flavors. You could also substitute ground turkey. Tomato sauce: homemade or jarred are both delicious – pick your favorite flavor (though I wouldn’t get anything with meat in it or meat flavor if you go with a jarred sauce.) Mozzarella cheese: I prefer to shred my own or to buy cheese that is not finely shredded. Cottage cheese: you can use your preferred fat content, but I feel like the recipe taste and texture turns out best with 2% or 4% milk fat cottage cheese. Parmesan cheese: use your favorite to sprinkle on top once assembled. You will also need one cup of water and any seasonings you would like to add; I highly recommend extra garlic and some oregano. 

Looking to make this a vegetarian dish? Omit the ground meat, then add some chunky cooked vegetables. Some great options are broccoli, zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, onions, and/or mushrooms. You can also buy chunky vegetable jarred sauce to bulk up the lasagna. 

The only cookware you will need is a pan for cooking the ground beef and heating the sauce, then a 9×13 casserole dish or bake pan to assemble the lasagna in. You will need aluminum foil for baking. Get out your cheese grater if you are using block cheese. 

Directions for Cooking Easy Lasagna 

Brown the meat in a pan over medium heat; drain grease. Add in sauce, one cup of water, and heat through. Stir until combined. Season with garlic powder or minced garlic and oregano to taste if desired. Set sauce mixture aside to cool slightly. Grease or spray a 9×13 casserole dish or baking pan and begin layering the lasagna: about 1/3 of sauce and meat, cover sauce with lasagna noodles, 1 ½ cups cottage cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Complete this pattern twice, then top the lasagna with remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and cover with foil. Bake at 350*F for 10 minutes; uncover and bake for another 30 minutes. Cool for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

Freeze for Later 

This recipe is great to freeze for a later date. I often double it and make two lasagnas – one for that day and one for the freezer. Assemble the lasagna as directed, then wrap tightly with two layers of foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed. I do not recommend baking from frozen, but it could be done if you have enough time to keep it in the oven for a couple of hours. 

Easy Beginner Lasagna (Potluck Lasagna) 

Ingredients 

1 lb. Ground Beef (or other meat) 

32 oz. Tomato Sauce 

½ cup of Water 

3 cups Cottage Cheese  

4 cups Shredded Mozzarella cheese 

½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese 

8 oz. Lasagna Noodles (uncooked) 

Desired seasonings (garlic and oregano recommended) to taste; start with 1 tsp each

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350*F. Brown the meat over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain the meat and add the water and sauce; heat until hot while stirring. Add in desired seasonings. Layer a prepared 9×13 pan or dish with 1/3 cup sauce, ½ of the noodles, 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese, and 2 cups of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers, ending with sauce. Sprinkle Parmesan on the top. Cover the lasagna with foil; bake for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes until cheese begins to bubble and brown. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.