Beef Lasagna
Layers of tender pasta, a rich and savory beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This classic Italian-American casserole is the ultimate comfort food for a family dinner or special occasion.
For 8 servings
4 steps. 85 minutes total.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Prepare the Meat Sauce
- b.Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
- c.Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- d.Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- e.Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook for 6-8 minutes until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- f.Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, dried oregano, dried basil, sugar (if using), red pepper flakes, 1.5 tsp of salt, and 0.5 tsp of black pepper.
- g.Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it gently simmer for at least 45 minutes, or up to 90 minutes for a richer flavor, stirring occasionally.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Prepare the Ricotta Filling
- b.While the sauce simmers, prepare the cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the whole milk ricotta cheese, 0.5 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, the lightly beaten egg, and the chopped fresh parsley.
- c.Season with the remaining 0.5 tsp of salt and 0.25 tsp of black pepper.
- d.Mix until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Assemble the Lasagna
- b.Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- c.Spread a thin layer of meat sauce (about 1.5 cups) on the bottom of the baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking.
- d.Arrange a single layer of no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce. You may need to break a noodle to fit the dish.
- e.Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
- f.Top with about one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- g.Repeat the layers: another layer of meat sauce, noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, and another third of the mozzarella.
- h.Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, the rest of the mozzarella, and the remaining 0.5 cup of Parmesan cheese.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Bake and Rest
- b.Lightly grease a sheet of aluminum foil and cover the baking dish tightly.
- c.Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and continue to bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
- d.Remove the lasagna from the oven. Let it rest on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This step is crucial for the layers to set.
- e.Garnish with additional fresh parsley before slicing and serving.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the creamiest texture, use whole milk ricotta and low-moisture mozzarella. Part-skim versions can result in a watery lasagna.
- 2Don't skip the resting period! It allows the layers to set, ensuring clean, beautiful slices that don't fall apart.
- 3If using regular lasagna noodles, cook them until al dente (firm to the bite) as they will finish cooking in the oven.
- 4For a richer sauce, deglaze the pan with a splash of dry red wine after browning the beef and before adding the tomatoes.
- 5To prevent the top layer of cheese from sticking to the foil, lightly spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray before covering the dish.
- 6Ensure your meat sauce is slightly looser than a typical pasta sauce, as the no-boil noodles absorb liquid as they cook.
Adapt it for your goals.
Meat Variation
For a richer, more complex flavor, use a combination of half ground beef and half ground Italian sausage (sweet or hot).
VegetarianVegetarian
Replace the ground beef with 1.5 lbs of finely chopped and sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach, and carrots.
Extra CreamyExtra Creamy
Add a layer of béchamel sauce (a simple white sauce made with butter, flour, and milk) between the ricotta and meat sauce layers for an even richer lasagna.
SpicierSpicier
Increase the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon or add a tablespoon of Calabrian chili paste to the meat sauce for a significant kick of heat.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Rich in Protein
The ground beef and three types of cheese provide a substantial amount of high-quality protein, which is essential for muscle repair, growth, and overall body function.
Excellent Source of Calcium
With generous amounts of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, this dish is an excellent source of calcium, a mineral vital for maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Provides Lycopene
The tomato-based sauce is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases. Cooking tomatoes, as in this sauce, increases the body's ability to absorb lycopene.
Frequently asked questions
A typical slice of this beef lasagna contains approximately 600-750 calories, depending on the exact ingredients used (like the fat content of the beef) and the final serving size.