Meaty Potato Lasagna

Washington State Potato Commission

Potato slices from a bag are the basis of this great lasagna.

Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 slices 30% less fat center-cut bacon cut into ½-inch pieces
• 8 oz. 93% lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups bottled marinara sauce, such as Healthy Choice, divided
• 2 (20 oz.) bags refrigerated home-style sliced potatoes, divided*
• 1 (15 oz.) container fat-free Ricotta Cheese
• 1 ½ cups (6 oz.) shredded reduced-fat Mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 egg

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400°.  Coat a 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Over medium-high heat, heat large nonstick skillet.  Add bacon and cook until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.  Stir in beef and cook, breaking into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.    Add onion and garlic and cook until beef starts to brown, about 4 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in 1 cup of the marinara sauce.
3. Spread ½ cup of the marinara sauce over bottom of prepared baking pan.  Top with 1/3 of the potatoes, slightly overlapping slices.  In medium bowl, stir the Ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the Mozzarella, ¼ cup of the Parmesan cheese and egg together.  Spread Ricotta mixture over potato layer.  Top with another ½ cup of the sauce and a second layer of potatoes.  Top with the bacon/beef mixture.  Arrange a final layer of potatoes.  Top with remaining 1 cup sauce.  Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup Mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
4. Cover with foil.  Bake 1 hour.  Uncover and bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is lightly browned and potatoes are tender.  Remove from the oven and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*If you can’t find the refrigerated sliced potatoes in your market, scrub, peel and slice 2 lbs. Washington Russet potatoes.  Place in large saucepan with cold water to cover.  Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to simmer and simmer about 4 minutes, or until potatoes are just barely tender.  Drain well.