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COWBOY LASAGNA

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This post was originally sponsored by Ragu through Linquia and published on May 14, 2016

I am kind of wondering why this is called Cowboy Lasagna.  Do cowboys eat pepperonis, Italian sausage and ground beef?  Maybe I am a cowboy and didn’t know it!  

On researching this mystery, I found that this pepperoni style lasagna is originally a Trish Yearwood recipe . so, Thanks Trish!  I heard about this recipe from a friend and decided to try it for myself  because, for one thing, the jarred Pasta sauce makes this simple.  

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT COWBOY LASAGNA

You need to know that this makes about 10 lbs of lasagna and don’t be like me because I’ve only had two large pieces so far today! There’s MORE in the fridge!  HELP!!!  

Mr. Loaves and Dishes will be home soon and he will save me from myself, right?

 

Close up photo of COWBOY LASAGNA @www.loavesanddishes.net being scooped from the plate

COWBOY LASAGNA

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR COWBOY LASAGNA

  • Prepare everything ahead before you try to assemble.  Just makes it easier.
  • You can brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together and just add as one ingredient if you want and that will taste the same.
  • If you can’t find Italian sausage in a bulk form then just use the links and squeeze the meat from the casings and discard the casings.  
  • If you want some super melty and tasty lasagna, use the fresh mozzarella and WOW!  Wonderful!  I used the pre-shredded type for the video because I know that is what most American’s use – but if you use the fresh, you won’t be disappointed.

FOR TASTY LASAGNA…

  • If you want some super duper tasty lasagna, use the REAL parmesan cheese!  You REALLY won’t be disappointed!  It is so super flavorful!
  • In lots of recipes, you find me doctoring sauces with lots of herbs.  Not needed in this recipe!   
  • Always start a lasagna with some of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish – it helps prevent sticking!
  • After cooking the noodles, I always lay mine out on a cookie sheet and coat with a little spray of non stick spray.  Noodles like to stick to one another and this helps keep things unsticky.  

LEFT OVERS…

  • This dish is WONDERFUL warmed over , which is good because it makes a TON!  Invite friends over for this dish!
  • You CAN freeze this dish for later and it heats back up beautifully!
A photo of the crispy browned edges of Cowboy Lasagna @www.loavesanddishes.net

Cowboy Lasagna

HOW TO MAKE COWBOY LASAGNA IN THE CROCKPOT

Precook your noodles as indicated in the recipe below.  Then layer the ingredients as indicated for oven baking.  Set the crockpot on low and allow to cook for 4 hours.

HOW TO MAKE COWBOY LASAGNA IN THE TOASTER OVEN

Precook the noodles as indicated.  Layer into the baking dish.  Set the toaster oven on 350 and bake for an hour.

COWBOY LASAGNA WITH TATERTOTS

There are a lot of ways to make this recipe your own but one of my favorites is to substitute the lasagna noodles with tater tots!  Give it a try!

WHAT GOES WITH COWBOY LASAGNA?

Lots of recipe will go with this Cowboy Lasagna but at my house, we love a simple salad, garlic toast and a yummy pecan pie! You might also try….

HOW TO COOK CANNED PEAS

HOW TO COOK CANNED GREEN BEANS

HOW TO COOK CANNED PEAS AND CARROTS.

 

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY ONE OF THESE OTHER EASY DISHES?

MY MOMS MEATLOAF

Scalloped Corn

Andouille Sausage Pasta

Smoked Sausage and Creamy Orzo

 

 

A photo of the lasagna being scooped out with the empty sauce jar in the background Cowboy Lasagna www.loavesanddishes.net

Cowboy Lasagna

THE RECIPE FOR COWBOY LASAGNA

4.83 from 70 votes
Close up photo of COWBOY LASAGNA @www.loavesanddishes.net being scooped from the plate
Print
COWBOY LASAGNA
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS RECIPE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.LOAVESANDDISHES.NET FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 400 kcal
Author: Loaves and Dishes
Ingredients
  • 1 lb browned ground beef
  • 1 lb browned italian sausage
  • 2 jars tomato based Pasta Sauce
  • 12 Lasagna noodles cooked per package instruction
  • 12 oz pepperonis two packages
  • 4 Cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 8 oz Ricotta Cheese
  • 4 oz Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350. While the oven is preheating, brown the ground beef and the Italian sausage over medium heat in a frying pan. When browned, remove each from the heat and reserve. Cook the Lasagna noodles according to package instructions and reserve.
  2. In a 9x13 baking dish Spoon several spoonfuls of the pasta sauce into the baking dish. Begin layering the ingredients as follows: 3 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the pasta sauce, ⅓ of the browned ground beef, ⅓ of the italian sausage, ⅓ of the pepperonis, ⅓ of the Mozzarella Cheese, ⅓ of the Ricotta Cheese, ⅓ of the parmesan. End with the cheeses on top.
  3. Place the 9x13 pan on a baking sheet and place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake for 45-55 mins until heated through and bubbly. Cheese will be melted throughout and the edges will be browned. If you like yours less browned, lightly cover with aluminum foil for the last 15 minutes.
  4. Remove from the oven and serve hot. Great with garlic bread and a salad!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes
  • Prepare everything ahead before you try to assemble.  Just makes it easier.
  • You can brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together and just add as one ingredient if you want and that will taste the same.
  • If you can’t find Italian sausage in a bulk form then just use the links and squeeze the meat from the casings and discard the casings.  
  • If you want some super melty and tasty lasagna, use the fresh mozzarella and WOW!  Wonderful!  I used the pre-shredded type for the video because I know that is what most American’s use - but if you use the fresh, you won’t be disappointed.

FOR TASTY LASAGNA...

  • If you want some super duper tasty lasagna, use the REAL parmesan cheese!  You REALLY won’t be disappointed!  It is so super flavorful!
  • In lots of recipes, you find me doctoring sauces with lots of herbs.  Not needed in this recipe!   
  • Always start a lasagna with some of the sauce in the bottom of the baking dish - it helps prevent sticking!
  • After cooking the noodles, I always lay mine out on a cookie sheet and coat with a little spray of non stick spray.  Noodles like to stick to one another and this helps keep things unsticky.  

LEFT OVERS...

  • This dish is WONDERFUL warmed over , which is good because it makes a TON!  Invite friends over for this dish!
  • You CAN freeze this dish for later and it heats back up beautifully!
Nutrition Facts
COWBOY LASAGNA
Amount Per Serving
Calories 400
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

A word about COWBOY LASAGNA

I started out this post by stating that I don’t know why this is called Cowboy Lasagna  which is entirely true but this recipe reminds me of my dad.  My dad was simply the greatest man ever (I know, I know – count me as a daddy’s girl).  

I wish you could have met him!  My dad was a recipe creator and a creative recipe namer too.  Mom always says that is where I get this cooking streak from.

MY DAD…

My dad made so many memorable recipes  like grape jelly omelets and Medlin’s Egg Muffins and Dad’s famous WHOOPY  hamburgers (what you say when you eat one).  Grape Jelly Omelet – not my fav.  

Anyway, I know this is a recipe is one he would have loved especially for the mystery of the name.  He would have made lots and lots of jokes about pepperoni eating cowboys.

AND THAT is what I love about recipes like this.  

 Family Recipes

In my family, we have lots of recipes that are like this Cowboy Lasagna its something we ate a lot because it was simple and yummy.  

Recipes that are always remembered with good conversation around the family table.  Because eating together, listening to each other and being there for each other is what family traditions are all about.  

I would love to hear about some of your family tradition recipes!  In fact, I was thinking about starting a series of recipes that are ALL family tradition recipes.  

What would you like to see me share?  Just let me know and I’ll see if I have it in my magical recipe cards!  Just leave me a comment below in the comment section and I’ll see what I can do!

 

You May Also Enjoy:

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Wendi Spraker on EmailWendi Spraker on FacebookWendi Spraker on InstagramWendi Spraker on Linkedin
Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse and serves on her town's board of councilmen.
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Comments

  1. Hello,
    Interesting recipe..i may have to try it. It appears to be very popular. You mentioned about jelly omelets that you thought your dad made up and I had to write. That is actually a very old recipe well known enough to have been discussed and made on an episode of Hazel the tv show from the early 60’s. I made it and I like it. It does require tiny bit of sugar in the eggs and then your own taste as to how much jelly you put on the inside of the omelet after it is cooked. I am one that always ate jelly on my egg mcmuffin and think it lacks without it. But I had never heard of jelly omelet till seeing this Hazel episode but have since found the recipe even in an old Fannie Farmer cookbook.
    kim

    Reply

    • Hi Kim! I’m sorry it has taken me so long to respond, I have had no internet since yesterday due to Hurricane Michael repairs. I hope you do try the cowboy lasagna. Most people do seem to favor it. I’m glad you told me about the jelly omlet. I still think “Ewwww” though. lol. To each his own. 🙂

      Reply

  3. This looks absolutely fantastic! I can’t wait to give it a try. Your story about your dad and family traditions was very heart warming. I enjoyed reading that. I too am a daddy’s girl. Tradition in my family has always been dinner around the table. It was special occasions when we ate in front of the TV. But every night, the family sat at the table and ate dinner together, and I still find this very important to this day, and carry on that tradition. It really makes for cherished times and memories together. I have to say, most of my favorite memories happen in the kitchen and the dining room.

    Reply

  4. This looks amazing!! I like the unique ingredient mix. My three year old (and I) are currently obsessed with Mushrooms, so I’ll probably add Mushrooms. Definitely making this ASAP. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

    Reply

  5. How did you get this to fit in a 9×13? I made a pretty big mess having to transfer it over to something bigger.

    Reply

  22. The recipe I like best is Slow Cooker Beef with Rigatoni, which uses Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Meat Sauce. Thanks for the fantastic opportunity to win!

    Reply

  25. I am a big fan of Garlic so I”d love to try the hearty roasted garlic sauce especially the SPAGHETTI PUTTANESCA!

    Reply

  30. I would like to make the Penne Primavera with Ragu’s Homestyle Thick &Hearty Traditional Sauce

    Reply

  40. I can only stand the RAGÚ® Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce. I’m not a huge fan of veggies, but I can deal with these. I’d love to try the Shrimp Fra Diavolo. We’ve never tried a traditional pasta sauce with shrimp.

    Reply

  46. I’d love to make the Penne Primavera with Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce. It would be a great way to sneak in some veggies for the family.

    Reply

    • Thank you! Hey that’s great!!! Let me know how it turns out! Also- this drawing is almost over. I hope you’ll keep visiting loaves and dishes!!! Have enjoyed having you here!

      Reply

      • The Cowboy Lasagna turned out amazing! I can’t believe something I made tasted so good! It was easy, fast and my family loved it! There was none left over and they’ve requested it again as soon as possible! Thank you so much for the great recipe and for this awesome giveaway opportunity! I appreciate you! 🙂

        Reply

        • Pamela,
          Really, I must Thank You! Without terrific readers and visitors like you, I wouldn’t be able to be here. Thank you so much for the feedback – I’m so glad your family enjoyed it! I will be doing many more giveaways in the future. In fact, the next giveaway is sitting here on my desk waiting for me to make a recipe with it – and I am SUPER excited about this giveaway. If I can find enough partners for giveaways – I’ll try to always have one running. Of course, I do my best to bring you tasty and fairly easy recipes. I would urge you to check out the Easy Crockpot Summer Party BBQ recipe that I just posted – it is super easy and yummy too. Feeds a crowd. Thanks for stopping in and letting me know Pamela!

          Reply

  56. The rustic Italian bowls look delicious. I love pasta sauces that use a lot of fresh veggies during the summer months.

    Reply

  58. I want to try the Quick Summer Gazpacho. The thick and hearty sauce would make this different that anything I’ve ever tried.
    missysweepsalot at gmail dot com

    Reply

  66. I visited the Ragu site and picked the HOMESTYLE THICK & HEARTY ROASTED GARLIC SAUCE as a favorite. I would love to make the Caprese Farfalle recipe using this sauce for a quick and yummy summer meal.

    Reply

  67. The sauce is HOMESTYLE Ragu. The recipe is QUICK SUMMER GAZPACHO. I’m going to try this next week.

    Reply

  92. I liked the GRILLED CHICKEN PARMESAN because it is cooked on the grill and served over Zoodles, great lower carb meal for the summer.

    Reply

  100. I would love to try the Spicy Veggie Quesadillas! we love Quesadillas and I think this is something my kids would enjoy as well.

    Reply

  110. Wow, a lot of amazing recipes! With the mushroom sauce I thought the Spicy Veggie Quesadillas look so good! Can’t wait to make them!

    Reply

  115. I love the roasted garlic sauce. i checked out the recipes, there were several I had not thought of, Thanks.

    Reply

  117. So many amazing recipes that I want to try! First, I’d make the pizza as that will always be a family favorite!

    Reply

  133. Update! I made this!! oh boy thank you so much for the recipe. My family flipped over it!! I will for sure be making it again

    Reply

  142. My favorite recipe was the Spicy Veggie Quesadillas. I actually just bought flour tortillas at the store today, so this recipe has inspired me!

    Reply

  147. I like the TUSCAN-STYLE SAUSAGE SANDWICHES the best because my hubby and I love to make sandwiches.

    Reply

  150. I would most like to try Stuffed Shells with Hearty Greens, featuring Homestyle Thick & Hearty Four Cheese Sauce.

    Reply

  153. i like hearty thick sauce but the recipe i wanna try ishttp://www.ragu.com/our-recipes/spaghetti-puttanesca/

    Reply

  154. I would like to make the Penne Primavera with Ragu’s Homestyle Thick &Hearty Traditional Sauce.

    Reply

  156. I’d like to try the Thick and Hearty Mushroom sauce and the recipe for oven baked chicken park and mamas best spaghetti and meatballs.

    Reply

  158. I would like to make the Penne Primavera with Ragu’s Homestyle Thick &Hearty Traditional Sauce. Sounds delicious! Your cowboy lasagne looks like a winner, too!

    Reply

  169. Your Cowboy Lasagna looks and sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try it! I also want to try the BRAISED TUSCAN SHORT RIBS made with the RAGU® Homestyle Thick & Hearty Mushroom Sauce.

    Reply

  171. I chose the traditional sauce and can’t wait to try the slow cooker beef with rigatoni recipe. Thanks!

    Reply

  214. The Grilled Chicken Parmesan with the Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce not only looks DIVINE, it looks super simple!

    Reply

  224. I chose the HOMESTYLE THICK & HEARTY MUSHROOM SAUCE and then the SPAGHETTI & TURKEY MEATBALLS recipe. I love mushrooms and this recipe looks delicious!

    Reply

  226. This Cowboy Lasagna sure looks delicious! I also like the recipe for Tuscan-Style Sausage Sandwiches! I’m going to have to try them both! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply

  230. Oooh, the Caprese Farfalle looks yummy. I never thought about making it with Ragu, it’s always been one of those fancy-pants recipes that I have to buy a ton of special ingredients for.

    Reply

  244. I shared the Cowboy Lasagna on Twitter as @VestaJMason, on Google + as Vesta Mason and on Pinterest as Joni Mason.

    Reply

  245. I shared the Cowboy Lasagna Movie on Twitter as @VestaJMason and on Google+ as Vesta Mason. I also pinned this recipe as Joni Mason.

    Reply

  246. I chose the RAGÚ® Tomato Garlic & Onion Sauce and the recipe for Cheesy Calzones. A quick, easy, and delicious dish sure to please all!

    Reply

  251. I would choose the Ragu Thick & Hearty Mushroom sauce and the recipe I would like to try is the Sun Dried Tomato & Tonno Orecchiette. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply

  254. I would try the Homestyle Thick & Hearty Four Cheese Sauce and I would make spaghetti puttanesca with it.

    Reply

  259. I like the SLOW COOKER BEEF WITH RIGATONI recipe because it uses the slow cooker which I love using and the garlic sauce because I love garlic

    Reply

  265. I would love to try their homemade pizza recipe!

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  269. I definitely choose the Thick & Hearty Mushroom Sauce to make the Penne Rigate recipe. I love your cowboy lasagna recipe. It looks delicious….

    Reply

  289. I shared the Cowboy Lasagna movie on Twitter-https://twitter.com/tucsongirl80/status/732816868877193216

    Reply

  294. I would like to try spaghetti puttanesca–boy, that’s a mouthful right there! I am sure it is as delicious as it sounds!

    Reply

  296. i would want to try the chili mac and cheese! i’m a sucker for a good mac n’ cheese recipe!

    Reply

  298. I like the Grilled Chicken Parmesan with RAGÚ® Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce recipe the best.

    Reply

  317. THE SPAGHETTI & TURKEY MEATBALLS LOOKS AMAZING & I LIKE THE THICK & HEARTY TRADITIONAL STYLE SAUCE.

    Reply

  336. i WOULD LIKE THE THICK AND HEARTY GARLIC SAUCE, HOMEMADE PIZZA WOULD BE A GOOD RECIPE TO START. YOUR COWBOY LASAGNA SOUNDS GREAT TOO!

    Reply

  338. I choose the RAGÚ® Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce and the Spaghetti & Turkey Meatballs sounds good to me!

    Reply

  341. I like anything in the slow cooker so I am interested in the slow cooker beef and rigatoni recipe .

    Reply

  352. I would like to try both the Cheddar Nacho Dip and the Creamy Tomato Bolognese with Rigatoni. I would try the Ragu Creamy Tomato Sauce.

    Reply

  353. I would love to try the Cowboy Lasagna! It looks delicious. My favorite sauce is Thick and Hearty Mushroom.

    Reply

  355. I like the CHICKEN & BROCCOLI ALFREDO WITH FETTUCCINE the best. It’s my go-to order when I eat at Italian places and I would like to try making it at home.

    Reply

  360. My personal favorite sauce is the Homestyle Pizza Sauce and let’s go with the Pizza Pinwheels for the recipe.

    Reply

  373. I love the Cowboy Pasta and I picked the HOMESTYLE THICK & HEARTY MUSHROOM SAUCE. Gotta have some mushrooms in everything at our house!

    Reply

  381. PENNE PRIMAVERA looks delicious made with the traditional thick and hearty sauce. I have used the same twist (pepperoni) in lasagna- its really good and yours looks terrific.

    Reply

  401. I never had a lasagna like the Cowboy Lasagna, I’m gonna have to change that because it looks so good. One of the Ragu recipes that look good to me is the Spaghetti with Stuffed Meatballs.

    Reply

  412. I would love to try the penne primavera recipe using the 1 jar RAGÚ Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce.

    Reply

  420. I would love to make the ITALIAN MEATLOAF with the RAGÚ® Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Sauce.

    Reply