Description
Have you ever wondered why some lasagnas taste like a five-star Italian feast while others end up as a soggy, bland mess on your plate? This Italian Beef Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, featuring a perfect balance of gooey cheese, hearty meat, and tender pasta that is rich, sturdy, and incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (lean 80/20 or 90/10)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jars (24 ounces each) high-quality marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 container (15 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 box (12-16 ounces) lasagna noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Boil noodles in salted water until al dente (stop 2 minutes early). Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Brown the Beef: Cook ground beef in a large skillet until no longer pink. Add onions and sauté 5 minutes, then add garlic for 60 seconds.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in marinara, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes.
- Mix the Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
- Assemble the Layers: Spread 1 cup of sauce in a 9×13 dish. Layer noodles, 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and meat sauce. Repeat until ingredients are used.
- Top and Bake: Finish with noodles, remaining sauce, and a heavy blanket of mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
- Final Crisp: Remove foil and bake 20-25 minutes more until bubbly and golden.
- Rest: Let the lasagna sit for at least 15 minutes before cutting to ensure the layers stay together.
Notes
Spray the underside of the foil with oil to prevent the cheese from sticking. For a lighter version, substitute ground turkey or part-skim ricotta. Always let the dish rest after baking so the layers set properly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 920mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg