The Best Easy Meat Lasagna Recipe

April 03, 2023 Post a Comment

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Ultimate Meat Lasagna from www.allfreecasserolerecipes.com

Description

Lasagna is an Italian dish that has become popular worldwide. Layers of pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and herbs make this dish a favorite of many. This recipe is an easy version of the classic meat lasagna that you can make quickly and easily for your family or friends.

Prep Time

Preparation time for this recipe is approximately 20 minutes.

Cook Time

Cooking time for this recipe is approximately 60 minutes.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces lasagna noodles
1 egg
15 ounces ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

9x13 inch baking dish
Large pot
Saucepan
Frying pan
Mixing bowl

Method

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
In a large frying pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add onions and garlic, and cook until the onions are soft. Drain the excess fat.
Add spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the ground beef mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat the egg and then mix in the ricotta cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering process with 1 cup of meat sauce, 4 lasagna noodles, the remaining ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Finish with the remaining meat sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

You can use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef to make a healthier version of this recipe. You can also add vegetables such as spinach or zucchini to the meat sauce for additional flavor and nutrition.

Nutrition Info

Serving size: 1 slice
Calories: 402
Total fat: 21g
Saturated fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 101mg
Sodium: 838mg
Total carbohydrates: 24g
Dietary fiber: 2g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 28g

Recipes FAQ

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this recipe ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze it before baking. If refrigerating, bake for 25 minutes covered with foil and then an additional 25 minutes uncovered. If freezing, you can bake it directly from frozen for 60-75 minutes covered with foil and then an additional 25 minutes uncovered.

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Yes, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe. Just add an additional 1/2 cup of water to the sauce to ensure the noodles cook properly.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can use different types of cheese in this recipe. Try using provolone or fontina cheese instead of mozzarella for a different flavor.

Recipe Tips

Cook the lasagna noodles until they are just al dente so they don't become too soft in the oven.
Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before serving so it is easier to cut and doesn't fall apart.
If you don't have a large frying pan, you can cook the meat sauce in a saucepan and then transfer it to a baking dish.
If you don't have a mixing bowl, you can mix the ricotta and Parmesan cheese in the pot you cooked the lasagna noodles in.