My Throw-Together Lasagna Success Story

I've always been a fan of lasagna. Pasta, cheese, tomato sauce -- who could resist? Well, Thursday I had lasagna on the brain. We hadn't had lasagna in ages. Plus, with working on the house right now, we're doing a lot of "satisficing" with meals -- so my first thought was to pick up a frozen lasagna at the store on my way out the house. We do have an oven in the house we're able to use, so I figured I could heat that up and that would be our supper.

When I got to the frozen food aisle, I wasn't completely satisfied with either the prices or the ingredients on my lasagna choices. Then, a brainstorm: I wonder if I could put a lasagna together for us? Worst case scenario: I learned it didn't work. But, it ended up turning out really well! We were even able to share leftovers with David's family, and they liked it too. It's definitely a do-over! (In fact, I bought ingredients tonight to make it again this week.)

Here's what I did -- oh, let me give you the ingredients list first:

1 box wheat lasagna noodles (you'll only use half)
1 jar pasta sauce (I used a chunky kind)
1 large carton cottage cheese
1 2 cup bag shredded mozzarella cheese
1 bag frozen spinach (I used half)
1 container baby portabella mushrooms (I used half)

In my (foil, disposable) baking pan, first I put down a layer of pasta sauce, enough to cover the bottom of the pan. Then I put four uncooked lasagna noodles, which worked out right for my size pan. Then, I put a layer of cottage cheese, then mozzarella cheese, then spinach and mushrooms. Then another layer of noodles and another layer of sauce, the rest of the cottage cheese and some mozzarella (but save some for the top), another layer of noodles, then more spinach and mushrooms and cheese. Well, that may not be exactly right, but something like that. I covered it and baked it for about 30 minutes at 350, give or take -- and yummy!

I was trying to think about other veggies that would be good in this, too. I think some small carrot bits would be good. Cooked bell pepper and onion would be good. You could always add a meat layer or two, too. I just didn't want to fool with it, and we didn't miss it.

So tonight at the store I only had to buy cottage cheese and mozzarella cheese and pasta sauce; I had the other ingredients already left over from Attempt #1.

So, now we have a recipe for an unbelievable lasagna -- tasty and unbelievably easy! (And not TOO terribly expensive, either.) You'll have to let me know if you try it.