Just Like the Real Thing Lasagna

https://peaceloveandlowcarb.com/just-like-the-real-thing-lasagna/

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE “NOODLES”:

• 2 large eggs
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder

FOR THE FILLING:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups Three Cheese Marinara Sauce, divided (recipe at bottom)
• 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 6 tbsp whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 tbsp minced onion flakes (optional) 
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (HW: there is a recipe for DIY on this blog) 

---

INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE “NOODLES”:

1. This part will take the longest, so feel free to make the “noodles” the night before and just leave them in the fridge until you are ready for them.
2. Preheat oven to 375° Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper
3. In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together cream cheese and eggs.
4. Next, add Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
5. Using a rubber spatula, fold in mozzarella cheese and mix until well incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture into the baking dish, forming a nice even layer.
7. Bake on the middle rack for 20-25 minutes.
8. When the “noodles” are done baking, cool in the fridge for about 20 minutes and then cut into thirds. This makes three perfectly sized “noodle” layers for an 8.5 X 4.5 X 2.5 loaf pan.

FOR THE FILLING:

1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, combine ground beef, minced onion, oregano, garlic powder, dried basil and a pinch of salt. Cook until the meat is browned.
2. Drain excess fat from pan and add ¾ cup marinara sauce to meat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:

1. Pour ¼ cup marinara sauce into bottom of loaf pan. Top with the first “noodle” layer
2. Layer a third of the ground beef mixture. Top with ¼ cup mozzarella cheese and 3 tbsp ricotta cheese, and cover with another “noodle” layer. Repeat these steps.
3. Cover the top “noodle” layer with remaining ground beef, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle Italian seasoning over top. Bake for 20 minutes.

for quick prep: make and freeze the noodles and sauce - 

Three Cheese Garlic Marinara Sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup romano cheese, shredded

---

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large sauce pan, over low heat, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, basil, parsley, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Stir in Parmesan, mozzarella, and Romano cheeses.  Stir until cheeses are melted and well incorporated.

hearty tomato meat sauce – low carb, gluten free

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
 
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
 
• Total Time: 55 minutes
 
• Yield: Makes 25 Servings 1x

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 2 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 6 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ tsp dried bay leaf
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

---

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large non-stick sauce pan over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with onion, garlic and sea salt.  Drain excess grease.
2. To the sauce pan, add tomatoes.  Mash the tomatoes into meat until they are crushed and broken up.
3. To the sauce, mix in tomato paste, mushrooms, oregano, basil, parsley, bay leaf, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and red pepper flakes.
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered – 30 minutes.