Aunt May’s Lasagna

Name: Aunt May's Lasagna
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 large onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 can (28 ounces) stewed tomatoes; 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 bay leaf; 9 lasagna noodles; 1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and coarsely chopped; 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Some people don't like ricotta cheese, traditionally found in lasagna. This is a nice alternative.—Angie Estes, Elko, Nevada

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (28 ounces) stewed tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
9 lasagna noodles
1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained and coarsely chopped
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, pepper and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 40-50 minutes or until thickened.
Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Discard bay leaf from meat sauce. Stir in olives.
Spread a fourth of the sauce in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with three noodles and a third of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, sauce and cheese.
Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 249 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 412mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 16g protein.

Originally published as Aunt May's Lasagna in Taste of Home June/July 2002

Reviews

My Review

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

petrie60

Dec 11, 2013

This is my lasagna recipe also, but last year I added the ricotta for the first time and my family loved it! So now I add that along with the two other chesses! Great recipe! We always have lasagna for Xmas dinner with green bean casserole and all the other goodies!
maureenfipke

May 27, 2013

I use Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles and Cottage Cheese, also use some shredded Parmesan Cheese with the Mozza cheese.
mblewis

Mar 2, 2013

Although I love traditional lasagna with the ricotta, my husband does not. This was a delicious and simple recipe (didn't do the olives) that had my husband taking a second helping. Will definitely make again and might try with Italian sausage.
Istayinthekitchen

Jan 23, 2013

I've made a couple of different lasagnas. This was amazing. Simple & delicious. Everyone was looking forward to leftovers the next day. Only thing I changed is I added a cup of water to the sauce, like some other stated the sauce was too thick for my liking. I also added sugar & tons of garlic to mine.
cindy -rushford

Nov 27, 2012

very nice recipe , easy to make with a wonderful flavor.
stwood64

Oct 12, 2012

My husband doesn't care for lasagna recipes that use ricotta cheese. I found this one and since no one likes olives, I omitted them. At times I will use mushrooms instead. I've also made using whole wheat noodles and ground turkey and my family loves it! We make this recipe often!
lert76

Feb 10, 2012

I have a different lasagna recipe that I prefer, but it has more steps so I use this recipe when I want an easier lasagna. It's pretty good, but better if you add 1/2 c. or so of water with the tomatoes so it's not as dry
narwhal

Dec 3, 2011

I have made this recipe a few times and we love it. I omit the olives because I'm the only one in my house who likes them, and I usually end up adding extra cheese, but it's always a hit and even my toddler likes it.
dawnrosanne

Jul 19, 2011

Pretty good, but not enough sauce. Kind of dry. I added in 8 oz of tomato sauce cause that is what I found in the cupboard. But, ideally, I think I'd add a whole jar of pasta sauce next time. I like juicy lasagna!
dollargirl

Feb 17, 2011

So easy to make because you don't have to prepare the ricotta/egg mixture that traditional lasagna requires. Delicious even without all that. My daughter always requests this when she comes home from college.