There’s something magical about a good lasagna. It’s the kind of dish that seems to please everyone, from the pickiest of eaters to the most discerning of gourmets. And when it comes to classic lasagna recipes, Don Hill’s takes the cake…or should we say, the pasta! This recipe is a delightful collision of hearty hamburger meat, aromatic onions and bell pepper, zesty spaghetti sauce, and of course, lots and lots of cheese. Three different types to be exact—mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan. Each layer is a testament to the love and care that goes into making this comfort food staple. I personally love this recipe not just because it’s delicious, but also because it brings back warm, fuzzy memories of family dinners, laughter, and the simple joy of sharing a meal with loved ones. Moreover, it’s a versatile dish that you can tweak to your preference—add more cheese, throw in some veggies, or spice it up with chili flakes—the possibilities are endless. And the best part? It’s a dish that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or leftovers.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. hamburger meat
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- garlic to taste
- 1 (15 1/4 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. hearty wide egg noodles
- 3 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese (12 oz.)
- 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 c. shredded Cheddar cheese (12 oz.)
Baking Instructions
- Cook hamburger, onion and bell pepper until tender and meat is no longer pink.
- Add garlic, spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper; set aside.
- Cook egg noodles in pot until almost tender.
- Layer casserole dish with half of noodles.
- Spread half of sauce mixture over noodles.
- Layer with half of each of the cheeses.
- Repeat the layering:
- noodles, sauce, Mozzarella cheese and Cheddar cheese with Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in oven until brown.
Calorie: 600
Total cooking time: 1 hour
Difficulty level: Easy
The Epic Saga of Don Hill’s Lasagna
The Gathering of the Ingredients
The quest begins on a bright Saturday morning with the gathering of the ingredients. I found myself navigating through the grocery store like a pirate in search of hidden treasure, my cart weighed down with a 1 1/2 lb. of hamburger meat, a solitary onion, a green bell pepper (because why not add some color to this meaty masterpiece?), and garlic to taste. The garlic is important, my friends. It ensures that vampires will never darken your kitchen door.
Next, I scooped up a 15 1/4 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce (just your run-of-the-mill, nothing fancy), and salt and pepper for seasoning. It’s always a bit of a gamble with the salt and pepper, isn’t it? Too little, and you may as well be eating cardboard. Too much, and you’ve got yourself a salt lick.
Of course, a lasagna isn’t complete without noodles, and here’s where it gets fun. I went for a hearty wide egg noodle, because who doesn’t love a good carb? Topping off my treasure trove of lasagna ingredients was cheese – and lots of it. I’m talking 3 cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese, 1/2 a cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 3 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese. That’s right – three types of cheese. This isn’t for the faint-hearted!
The Battle with the Hamburger and Friends
Now, the real challenge begins. Armed with a spatula and a frying pan, I faced off against the hamburger, onion and bell pepper. The goal was to cook them until tender and the meat was no longer pink. It’s like a wrestling match, really, with the occasional onion trying to make a break for it.
Once the trio was sufficiently subdued, I introduced them to my friends garlic, spaghetti sauce, salt and pepper, and then set them aside. Don’t worry, they were well-behaved by this point.
The Layering: A Test of Skill and Patience
Next, I turned my attention to the hearty wide egg noodles. I cooked them until they were almost tender, but not quite. It’s like trying to catch a train just before it leaves the station.
Then came the layering. First, a blanket of half the noodles in a casserole dish, followed by a layer of the sauce mixture. Next, the cheese – each one taking its turn in the spotlight. At this point, my kitchen started to look like a construction site, with layers of lasagna rising like a delicious tower.
The Grand Finale: Baking the Beast
Finally, it was time to bake the beast. Into the oven it went until it turned a glorious golden brown. I could hardly wait to tuck into my magnificent creation, but like any good artist, I knew it needed its time to become a masterpiece.
The Aftermath
In the end, Don Hill’s Lasagna emerged victorious. The heavenly aroma filled my humble abode and the sight of the lasagna, with its golden, cheesy crust, was a sight to behold. It was a journey, a battle, a saga, but boy, was it worth it.
So, there you have it, my friends: Don Hill’s Lasagna. A tale of epic proportions, filled with danger, excitement, and most importantly, cheese. Lots and lots of cheese. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all really want?
So, gather your ingredients, gird your loins, and may your lasagna-making journey be as filled with laughter, mishaps, and deliciousness as mine was. Happy cooking!
