1️⃣ Make the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2️⃣ Prepare the Cheese Mixture

• In a bowl, combine mozzarella, Parmesan, cottage cheese (or extra mozzarella), egg, and parsley. Mix well.

3️⃣ Assemble the Lasagna

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread ⅓ of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of sauce.
• Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of noodles and sauce.
• Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella on top.

4️⃣ Bake

• Cover with foil (tent it slightly to prevent cheese from sticking).
• Bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

5️⃣ Rest & Serve

• Let it sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite! 🤤

Pro Tip: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat or swap cottage cheese with mascarpone for extra creaminess!

Enjoy your no-ricotta lasagna! 🍽️💛