Our family likes lasagna. My sister in law Susan, calls the cottage cheese and sauce part: "The guts". That's the best part of lasagna. Well, we like to eat lasagna, but it can be tedious to make and while this isn't always the method I use when making lasagna, this is the method I use for those quick everyday type meals. :-D I got this recipe off a freezer meal yahoo group that I frequent. If your family will eat things from the freezer and then things that have been cooked in the crockpot, you may want to try it.
The kids always help me put it all together in assembly line fashion. Usually Maddie and Marcus help, but today Michael got to help since Maddie was gone. Marcus felt good, because he knew the routine, and he was telling Michael what to do next. :-D
Enjoy! :-D
Ice Cream Bucket Lazagna
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5 lbs hamburger (I don't use this much hamburger...and also sausage is a nice variation)
tomato sauce spices, whatever you normally prefer
2 containers large size cottage cheese (I use more of this)
4 eggs salt pepper
mozzarela cheese, shredded, at least 4-6 cups (I use the big bag of monz, cheddar, and provolone from Sam's Club)
2 packages lasagna noodles ( I end up using about 3 boxes instead of two)
6 ice cream buckets (good for 5qt.size crockpots, or any freezer/crockpot compatable one gallon containers
Cook a large package of hamburger (approx 5 lbs), drain.
Place it back in the pan you cooked it in, (don't dirty another pan)
Add tomato sauce and spices as you like it.
In another large bowl, mix two large containers of cottage cheese, four eggs, and salt and pepper. A third bowl has a large quantity of shredded mozzarella. (I don't dirty a bowl for this, but just use a measuring cup and get the cheese directly from the bag.)
Open two packages of lasagna noodles, cook as directed on box. (I don't pre cook the noodles, this saves time)
Place all the ingredient bowls and pans in a row on the counter.
Then take 6 (one gallon) ice cream buckets or similar container.
Layer as follows: noodles, sauce, cheese and repeat til done.
That is it! You end up with six lasagnas, and only 3 dirty pans.
Freeze until completely solid.
Then slip from the ice cream bucket and place in gallon Ziploc bags.
Then store back in the freezer, this way takes up much less space.
Using the ice cream bucket makes it the exact size and shape for a round 5 quart crockpot.
You might find another container that works better for you. When you decide to cook, just pop it in the crockot on LOW all day.
