![Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.southernliving.com/thmb/qN3nVdaZZVVsQgPPAmaoP4Rt1VA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/make-ahead-lasagna-sl-x-ad7ea8f9c03b4287b24750a31d3f92a0.jpg)
Ingredients
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12 uncooked lasagna noodles
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1 (24-oz.) container 4% small-curd smooth-and-creamy cottage cheese
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1 (16-oz.) container ricotta cheese
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2 large eggs, lightly beaten
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1/2 cup refrigerated pesto
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1 teaspoon salt
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2 1/2 cups (10 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
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1 pound lean ground beef
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1/2 cup finely chopped onion
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2 (24-oz.) jars tomato-and-basil pasta sauce
Directions
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Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare noodles according to package directions.
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Meanwhile, stir together cottage cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
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Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce.
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Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
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Bake, covered, at 375° for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes or until cheese is browned. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
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Note: Freeze unbaked lasagna up to 3 months. To bake, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours. Let stand 30 minutes; bake as directed. We tested with Classico Di Napoli Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce and both LeGrand Garden Pesto and Buitoni Reduced Fat Pesto with Basil.