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Easy Lasagna Recipe

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4 from 49 reviews

This easy lasagna recipe features a rich and savory meat sauce combined with a creamy cheese spread, layered between tender lasagna noodles and baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners, this classic Italian dish balances flavorful ground beef and Italian sausage with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses, accented by Italian seasoning and a hint of Worcestershire and hot sauce.

Ingredients

Cheese Spread

  • 15 oz. ricotta cheese (2 cups)
  • 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
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Other

  • 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prep Work: Combine the ricotta, egg, 2 cups mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to create the cheese spread. Set aside and measure out all remaining ingredients for easy access.
  2. Make the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot or deep skillet. Add the finely diced onions and cook slowly for about 10 minutes until softened and slightly sweetened to offset tomato acidity.
  3. Cook Meat: Add ground beef and Italian sausage, increase heat to medium-high, and break up the meat finely with a spatula. Cook for 8-10 minutes until meat is browned and cooked through. Add minced garlic in the last minute of cooking, then drain excess grease.
  4. Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot, lifting any flavorful browned bits. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer partially covered, allowing the sauce to thicken while you prepare noodles.
  5. Preheat Oven and Boil Noodles: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water until noodles are cool to stop cooking. Lay noodles flat on wax or parchment paper to keep separated.
  6. Assemble the Lasagna: Spread about 1 heaping cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping as needed. Spread 1/3 of the cheese spread mixture over the noodles, followed by approximately 1½ cups of meat sauce. Repeat layering two more times with noodles, cheese spread, and meat sauce. Top the final layer with the remaining noodles, cheese spread, and meat sauce. Finish by sprinkling 2½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  7. Prepare for Baking: Spray a sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray side down over the baking dish. This prevents the cheese from sticking to the foil during baking.
  8. Bake: Bake covered for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the layers to set properly. Serve warm with garlic bread topped with cheese for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can use homemade or store-bought marinara sauce depending on your preference for convenience or flavor.
  • Make sure to let the lasagna rest after baking to avoid runny layers when slicing.
  • If the lasagna noodles are broken during cooking or handling, extra noodles are recommended on hand.
  • For a spicier dish, increase the hot sauce slightly or add red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
  • To reduce fat, use lean ground beef and Italian sausage or substitute turkey sausage.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/easy-lasagna-recipe/