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This article is part of “The Amish Cook Column,” a weekly series featuring stories and recipes from Gloria Yoder, an Amish wife and mother of six from Flat Rock, Illinois.
caption: Amish No-Fuss Lasagna is a delicious way to enjoy a classic
When you are a child, some events feel like they will never arrive—yet this time it did. Our family had two trips back to back. The Raber family reunion was scheduled from Friday night through Sunday noon, and on Monday we planned to board a 55-passenger bus with Daniel’s family for a seven-hour trip to Pennsylvania. At first I hesitated, but it felt important for the children to stay connected to their father’s side of the family, so we went.
The reunion was well organized. Two Raber uncles had coordinated roles for each sibling and their families, assigning meal planning, serving, and other tasks in advance. This year’s gathering took place in Brinkhaven, Ohio, on land owned by an Amish community. The site featured a large pavilion, a kitchen and dining area, and cabins dotted around the grounds. Most cousins camped in tents while aunts and uncles occupied cabins—my mother reserved a cabin for the children and me, which I appreciated.
The weekend was full of laughter and remembrance: volleyball and softball games, shared meals, and time to reconnect. On Friday morning Uncle Leroy knocked on our cabin door with a large box. Inside were soft fleece blankets for each child, printed with family photos. Seeing my husband in the center of those images—grinning with love—brought fresh tears. The blankets captured simple, meaningful moments: feeding giraffes at the zoo, the day a newborn was introduced to siblings, and a favorite photo of Daniel and me stirring chili over an open fire. Those memories are precious.
Saturday afternoon included a small auction, with items donated by families to raise funds for my cousin Jonathan, who lost his wife to a tragic incident a year and a half ago. The auction was a mix of humor and tears and raised needed support. I was especially touched by a walnut-framed clock my cousin Josh crafted in Daniel’s shop. The clock face shows a sunset with the verse “Be still and know that I am God.” When my mother-in-law noticed the sun on the clock resting between eight and nine—the same time the accident occurred—it felt like a gentle reminder of the day Daniel went to heaven.
The Raber family weekend blended their trademark laughter with real tenderness. On Sunday we held special services with songs and a devotional from Josh about resting in God. He asked a question that stayed with me: “What does resting really look like?” He reminded us that children learn rest by watching it modeled in home life. I felt the truth of that: embracing God’s will and letting go of our own control opens the way for unexpected blessings and deep peace.
I’ll share stories of the bus trip to Pennsylvania next week. Meanwhile, here’s the recipe for the Amish No-Fuss Lasagna we served for Sunday lunch. It’s simple to prepare, feeds a crowd, and has become a family favorite.
No Fuss Lasagna
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
- 1 ½ pounds hamburger, fried
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon oregano (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- 3 cups pizza sauce, divided
- 2 cups water
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
📋 Instructions
- Fry the hamburger with salt and seasonings; then stir in 2 ½ cups of the pizza sauce.
- Layer noodles and the meat mixture alternately in a 9×13-inch pan, beginning and ending with four noodles.
- Pour the water over the layered noodles and meat, then spread the remaining ½ cup of pizza sauce on top.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 ½ hours, or until the noodles are tender.
- Mix the cream cheese, milk, and chopped onion together and spread on top of the baked casserole. Sprinkle with mozzarella and return to the oven until the cheese melts.
- Note: You can substitute 1 cup sour cream for the cream cheese and milk if you prefer.
- Serves 8–12.
🍝 More Amish Pasta Recipes
Ham-It-Up Spaghetti – Delicious!
One-Pot Spaghetti – Wow!
Skillet Spaghetti – So good!
Cheesy Beefy Macaroni Casserole – Filling and good!
🖨️ Full Recipe
Amish Cream Cheese Lasagna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
- 1 ½ pounds hamburger, fried
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- 3 cups pizza sauce, divided
- 2 cups water
- 4 oz. cream cheese
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup chopped onion
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Instructions
-
Fry hamburger with seasonings, then add 2 ½ cups pizza sauce.
-
Layer noodles and meat mixture alternately in a 9×13 pan, beginning and ending with four noodles.
-
Pour water over everything, then spread the remaining ½ cup pizza sauce on top.
-
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 1 ½ hours, or until noodles are tender.
-
Mix cream cheese, milk, and onion; spread over the top when the casserole comes out of the oven.
-
Sprinkle with mozzarella and return to the oven until the cheese melts. Note: One cup sour cream may be used to replace the milk and cream cheese.