Cottage Cheese Lasagna

This lasagna recipe uses cottage cheese—a surprising and sometimes debated ingredient. For Ivy Odom, though, it’s a cherished family tradition and a staple at Christmas Eve dinners.

The Origins of Mémère’s Lasagna

In the Odom household, holiday menus are constants. Every Christmas Eve, the family gathers around Mémère’s lasagna, a recipe passed down orally from Ivy’s great-grandmother to her dad. Mémère, with her thick French Canadian accent, recited the layering process aloud: “meat sauce, cottage cheese, cheese, noodles.” This ritual became second nature until a surprising discovery came to light.

Years later, Ivy’s mother pointed out that most lasagna recipes call for ricotta cheese, not cottage cheese. Seeking clarity, they reached out to Ivy’s Great-Aunt Bobbie, Mémère’s daughter. It turned out that either the accent or a lapse in memory had transformed “ricotta” into “cottage.” While this revelation was unexpected, the family realized they preferred the creaminess of cottage cheese. Its curds, which don’t fully melt, created a texture they didn’t want to lose.

Since then, the dish has evolved into their own version of a classic, a reminder that adapting recipes can lead to new, meaningful traditions.

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Choosing the Best Cottage Cheese

Not all cottage cheese is created equal. Southern Living editors tested seven brands, with Good Culture emerging as a favorite. However, Ivy opts for Publix brand whole-milk small-curd cottage cheese for this recipe. She finds it less tangy, perfectly melty, and an affordable option.

Recipe Details

Ingredients

• Meat Sauce: Ground round, Italian sausage, sweet onion, red bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings.
• Cheese Layers: Whole-milk small-curd cottage cheese, part-skim mozzarella slices, and freshly grated Parmesan.
• Pasta: Lasagna noodles cooked in heavily salted water.

Cooking Steps

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   Brown the beef and sausage in olive oil, adding onion and bell pepper until softened. Stir in garlic for a fragrant boost, then caramelize tomato paste before adding crushed tomatoes, seasonings, and Worcestershire sauce.
2. Cook the Noodles:
   Boil the noodles as directed, ensuring they’re well-drained before assembly.
3. Layer the Lasagna:
   Begin with a thin layer of meat sauce in a 13×9-inch dish. Add noodles, spread meat sauce, layer with cottage cheese, and top with mozzarella. Repeat twice, finishing with Parmesan on top.
4. Bake to Perfection:
   Cover with greased foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until the cheese is golden and bubbling. Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

A Dish Rooted in Memories

This lasagna isn’t just a meal; it’s a testament to family, tradition, and adaptability. While it may have veered from Mémère’s original recipe, the Odoms’ version carries the essence of her culinary legacy, proving that the heart of a dish lies in the memories it creates.