This is a a classic recipe with a Patriotic twist! Too hot to grill, this can be made ahead and cooked on the day of your get together. I’m a sucker for all things red, white, and blue, creating the flag with food, just adds to the celebration. Happy Day of celebrating our Freedom and America!

Ingredients:

1 pound lean ground beef

1 red onion, finely chopped

1 cup chopped mushrooms

2 cups marinara sauce

2 cups cottage cheese

1 pint ricotta cheese

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

2 eggs

16 ounces cooked lasagna noodles

8 ounces shredded mozzarella

For the topping:

Black olives, chopped

1/2 cup marinara sauce

1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

To prepare the lasagna, cook ground beef and onions in a large pan over medium-high heat until ground beef is browned, about six minutes. Add the pasta sauce and heat another two to three minutes. Remove from heat.

In another bowl, mix together the eggs, Parmesan cheese, ricotta and cottage cheese.

In a large, greased 9 x 13-inch pan, begin the assembly of the lasagna. Place one layer of meat sauce, then on top of that, layer with lasagna noodles. Add one layer of the ricotta cheese mixture, then one layer of mozzarella. Repeat the layering until all ingredients are used. Once layers are done, sprinkle 1/2 cup mozzarella on top to create an even layer.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, cover and bake for about 40 minutes. Remove cover and bake another five or 10 minutes to lightly brown the cheese. Remove from oven and let cool a bit.

Before serving, place chopped olives in the upper left hand corner of the lasagna to make the “stars” of the flag. Then, using a small spoon, carefully make strips with the remaining sauce, starting at where the olives are and moving toward the end of the pan. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Kelli B 🇺🇸