My mom's lasagna. Kind of.

My mom taught me how to make lasagna the last time I was back east for the holidays. And it is delicious. But I also like vegetables so I've combined her recipe with a classic "Old Favourite" one from Canadian Living. Like most mutants, it's awesome.

Serves 6-8

8 oz lasagna noodles (about 12. And gluten free)
1 pkg (300 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups of shredded mozzarella
1 pkg of square mozzarella slices, cut into triangles

Meat filling:
1 lb of ground beef
1 each onion, carrot, and celery stalk, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp each dried oregano and basil
1/4 tsp pepper
Pinch hot pepper flakes
1 can (28 oz) tomatoes, chopped
2 cans (5.5 oz) tomato paste

Cheese filling:
2 eggs
1/4 tsp each nutmeg and pepper
3 cups low fat cottage cheese (To be fancy, I've done 2 cups of cottage and 1 cup of ricotta)
1/2 cup grated parmesan
3 Tbsp chopped parsley

Meat filling: In a large dutch oven, cook beef over medium-high heat, breaking up with spoon, for 5 minutes or until no longer pink. Spoon off all by 1 Tbsp fat. Add onion, carrot, celery, garlic, oregano, basil, pepper and hot pepper flakes to pan; cook, stirring often for 3 to 5 minutes.  Add tomatoes, and tomato paste; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often for about 25 minutes, until thickened.

Cheese filling: Meanwhile, in bowl, beat together eggs, pepper, and nutmeg. Blend in cottage and parmesan cheeses. Set aside.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles according to directions. The gluten free ones break like crazy so be gentle when stirring, and draining.

In a 9x13 inch pan glass baking dish arrange a layer of noodles on the bottom. Spoon half of the cheese mixture in. Top with half of the mozzarella (1 cup). Add about half of the spinach then top with half of the meat mixture. Cover the meat with the remaining noodles. Spoon the remainder of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles. Add the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, remaining spinach and top with the remaining meat mixture.  Finally place the triangle squares of mozzarella on top for beauty!

Cover loosely with foil; bake at 375 F for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Revisions: I've left the spinach out but I prefer it in. I've also thrown in a link or two of italian sausage with the ground beef for a little spicy zest and it's a great addition.