Ingredients
- 1 32-oz jar spaghetti sauce flavored with meat
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 large clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 package (8-oz) lasagna noodles
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef (optional)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar or jack cheese
- 1 cup (8 oz) ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) mozzarella cheese thinly sliced
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Preparation
Step 1
Open spaghetti sauce jar and stir in the seasoning and garlic. Pour about 1/3 of the sauce evenly into a 7 by 11 inch baking dish, then stir water into the remaining sauce and set aside.
Arrange 1/3 of the noodles in a single layer in the dish. If used, evenly crumble the uncooked beef on top. Sprinkle beef with 1/2 of the cheddar cheese, then evenly pour over about 1/3 of the remaining sauce.
Arrange 1/2 of the remaining noodles on top and sprinkle with remaining cheddar cheese. Distribute ricotta over all, then pour over 1/2 of the remaining sauce. Add remaining noodles; cover with rest of sauce.
Cover dish and cook in the microwave oven at half power for 10 minutes (50%) medium). Turn dish and cook another 10 minutes, then let stand in the oven, covered, for 5 minutes (0 power) Turn dish again and cook, covered, at full power for 14 minutes (100%) turning dish several times.
Uncover lasagna and arrange mozzarella cheese on top. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan and cook, covered, for 2 minutes high, until cheese in melted. Remove from oven and let stand, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
Standing time is important in this dish, in order to let the cheese set and firm up.