Faux Lasagna {Food}

Happy Friday!! In need of an easy meal that will feed a lot of mouths? This faux lasagna is something I make ahead of time and serve up right before a party I am hosting for the kids. It never fails, the day of a birthday party I am running around trying to gather up and finish up all of the party goodies. An hour before we are ready to head to the party destination everyone is starving! So I pop this in the oven and we get a great meal that will keep the tummies from rumbling, plus we always have left overs to eat later that night when we are exhausted from throwing the party.  

Here is what you will need
16 oz box of pasta (I used Penne, but Macaroni and Bow Tie work great too)Extra large jar of Spaghetti sauce (13 oz at least)24 oz container of Cottage Cheese Approximately 4 cups of shredded cheese (Mozzarella or Monterey Jack)1 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese9" x 13" pan 

Start a large pot of water boiling for noodles. I used a 16 oz box of Penne pasta here, but I have also used macaroni, bow tie and mini shells. As soon as your water is ready get those noodles cooking until they are al dente.  In the mean time brown 1 to 1 1/2 lbs of ground beef in large sauce pan, drain grease then add your favorite  jar of spaghetti sauce approximately 13-16 oz.  

1. Once noodles are cooking and drained grab a 9" x 13" baking pan, stone or glassware and add just enough of your sauce mixture to the bottom to coat. Now pour on half of your noodles and spread them out in a layer. 

2. Add a layer of cottage cheese plus, either shredded mozzarella or monterey jack cheese and some parmesan cheese. 

3. Repeat, adding a layer of sauce, pasta, cheeses and then end with a layer of pasta sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan. 

4. Bake at 350 until bubbly (approx 20-30 minutes) OR place on lower rack in oven and broil until top of lasagna is golden brown, turn off broiler and let sit for 15 minutes. 

Plate it up and enjoy with garlic bread a salad or on its own! 

Have a fantastic weekend!! 

All the best,