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Easy Lasagna Recipe

Easy Lasagna Recipe

This Easy Lasagna Recipe combines layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese, perfect for make-ahead or freezing.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 people
Calories 487 kcal

Equipment

  • 9 x 13-inch casserole dish

Ingredients
  

Cheese Filling

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion finely diced
  • ¾ lb ground beef
  • ¾ lb ground Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 40 oz marinara sauce see notes
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Lasagna Noodles/ Cheese Topping

  • 12 lasagna noodles plus extra in case of breakage
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese

Instructions
 

Prep Work

  • Combine the cheese filling ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients.

Make the Meat Sauce

  • Heat olive oil over medium heat and add the diced onions. Let them soften for 10 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef and sausage and increase heat to medium-high. Use a spatula to break up the meat. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until cooked through. Add garlic last minute.
  • Add chicken broth, stir to clean the pot. Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. Boil, then simmer while boiling pasta.

Preheat Oven and Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Boil salted pasta water for lasagna noodles. Cook noodles to al dente per package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
  • Lay cooled noodles flat on parchment paper while assembling the lasagna.

Assemble

  • Spread 1 heaping cup meat sauce on bottom of baking dish. Add 4 lasagna noodles, overlapping if necessary.
  • Spread ⅓ of ricotta mixture over noodles, add 1 ½ cups meat sauce on top.
  • Layer with 4 more noodles, ⅓ of ricotta, and 1 ½ cups meat sauce.
  • Finish with 4 more noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and remaining meat sauce.
  • Top with 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

Bake

  • Bake for 35 minutes, then remove cover and bake for 10 more minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and let sit for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pro Tips: Use Frank's Hot Sauce for flavor without heat. Rao’s marinara sauce is recommended. Use block cheese for best melting. Assemble ahead and refrigerate or freeze before baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 31gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 1207mgPotassium: 632mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 968IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 396mgIron: 3mg
Keyword Comfort Food, Dinner, easy lasagna recipe, Lasagna, make-ahead, Pasta
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