Deep-Fried Lasagna Pieces

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 (8 ounce) package manicotti shells
• 1 (24 ounce) carton cottage cheese, drained
• 2 (16 ounce) jars pizza sauce, divided
• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded mozzarella cheese
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups bread crumbs

Directions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add beef and Italian sausage; cook and stir until browned, about 8 minutes. Drain excess grease. Let cool slightly.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook manicotti shells in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 7 minutes. Drain.

Mix cooled beef and sausage, cottage cheese, 1 jar pizza sauce, and mozzarella cheese together in a large bowl. Stuff shells generously with mixture.

Arrange stuffed shells on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, 15 to 20 minutes. Cut each shell into 2 or 3 lasagna pieces.

Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Place flour in a bowl. Beat eggs in another bowl. Pour bread crumbs onto a shallow plate.

Dredge stuffed lasagna pieces in flour. Dip in beaten eggs. Roll in bread crumbs until coated.

Fry 4 breaded lasagna pieces at a time in the hot oil until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining pieces.

Pour remaining jar of pizza sauce into a bowl for dipping.