Step 1

Preheat Oven to 375 Degrees F.

Step 2

Use a Mandolin or large sharp knife (see post on how to use a knife!) to cut fairly thin  wide, long Zucchini noodles.  If using a mandolin that doesn’t have a tomato slicer option, use the widest setting to get them thick enough. I use the setting for cucumber slice thickness.   Lay all zucchini noodles out on top of papertowels and sprinkle salt all over the tops (THIS MAKES THEM SWEAT OUT EXTRA LIQUID).   After 15 minutes, wipe all the salt and excess moisture off the Zucchini strips, and be sure to pat each one dry (the drier, the better!).

Step 3

While zucchini is ‘sweating’ put onions and butter in a saute pan and cook until they start to look translucent (7-8 minutes)

Step 4

In a separate  large saute pan cook the Ground beef while onions are cooking. Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on the beef and cook until it’s just barely still pink, making sure to break up the chunks well as its cooking. DRAIN the excess fat before continuing.     Add minced garlic & Italian seasoning (or whichever herb you’d like!) to the drained ground beef & cook for 1 more minute.  Add almost the entire container of Rao’s Marinara (but reserve 2-3 Tbsps for top of the lasagna) and the cooked onions to the pan of ground beef/garlic.    Turn heat down to medium low, and allow meat sauce to simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Step 5

While sauce is simmering mix with a whisk, in a mixing bowl, the whole container of cottage cheese, the egg, and ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Set Aside.

Step 6

Line the bottom of your Lasagna Pan with Zucchini noodles, leaving no gaps between zucchini pieces and overlapping each one slightly (I used a 9 X 13 pan. If you use a smaller pan, then do less of each layer if you want an additional height on your lasagna like my photos!) Add a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese (enough to lightly cover the zucchini). Add ½ the meat sauce (less if using smaller pan and you want an additional layer, then use 1/3rd) and spread evenly with a large spoon.    Add a layer of ½ of the cottage cheese/egg mixture ( again less, more like 1/3 if using a smaller pan than mine) and gently spread evenly.Add another layer of Zucchini Noodles, then mozzarella, then meat sauce, then cottage cheese mixture (same as above!).  Add last layer of zucchini noodles to top of the lasagna.    Sprinkle the remaining Rao’s marinara all over the top layer of zucchini and spread thinly and evenly with a spoon.    Top it all off with a nice thick layer of shredded mozzarella and some extra parmesan cheese if desired.

Step 7

Bake lasagna, uncovered, at 375 F for 30 minutes.   Then, turn on the broiler, and toast the top layer of cheese for 1-2 minutes until cheese is bubbling and starting to brown (optional, but makes a nice crunchy cheese crust).

Step 8

Allow lasagna to cool for AT LEAST 30 minutes up to 4 days (yes you can prep this beforehand!!!)  BEFORE Cutting into it.  I like to cool mine in the fridge or the freezer for a MINIMUM 30-40 minutes before we cut and serve.   IF YOU CUT THIS WHEN IT’S HOT, there will be LOTS OF LIQUID in the bottom of the pan.  If you cut it AFTER it’s cooled, then the liquid gets reabsorbed into the lasagna and it won’t be a soupy (although still tasty) mess. Store leftover lasagna, uncut, IN THE lasagna pan in the fridge.   It will have NO watery liquid the next day and I swear it tastes twice as good after being refrigerated ????. Reheat lasagna slices in the microwave for 30-45 seconds & EAT!