Pirates Pantry

Plundering the seven seas for grub worth preserving

Traditional Layered Lasagna

main-dishbakedcasseroleweekendmake-aheadpartycomfort-fooditalian

Prep
30 min
Cook
1 hour 20 min
Total
2 hours 5 min
Servings
12

For the Meat Sauce

Simmering the sauce with meat gives it depth—rich as a captain's tale.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound pork sausage
  • 5 cups red sauce

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, brown ground beef and sausage over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
  2. Add red sauce to the meat and simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside.

Prep: 10 min • Cook: 15 min • Wait: No time

For the Cheese Filling

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 3 cups 4% small-curd cottage cheese
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, parsley, cottage cheese, ricotta, and Parmesan.
  2. Mix until well blended. Set aside.

Prep: 10 min • Cook: No time • Wait: No time

Pasta & Assembly

Ingredients

  • 9 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 6 slices provolone cheese (about 6 oz)
  • 1 batch meat sauce
  • 1 batch cheese filling
  • 1 package fresh mozzarella slices (as needed)
  • 3 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Lightly grease or line a 13x9-inch baking dish.
  3. Spread 1 cup meat sauce in the bottom of the dish.
  4. Layer with 3 noodles, provolone slices, 2 cups cheese filling, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
  5. Add 3 more noodles, 2 cups meat sauce, remaining cheese filling, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella.
  6. Top with final 3 noodles, remaining meat sauce, fresh mozzarella slices, and remaining shredded mozzarella.
  7. Cover with foil and bake for 50 minutes.
  8. Uncover and bake an additional 20 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

This lasagna be a layered masterpiece—rich, cheesy, and hearty enough to feed a full crew. Keeps in the ship’s stores for up to 4 days. Reheat covered at 350°F until warmed through. For extra flair, garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan before serving.