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Layers of tender pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. This classic Italian-American casserole is baked until bubbly and golden, making it the ultimate comfort food for family dinners.
Prepare the Meat Sauce (Approx. 75 minutes)
Cook Noodles and Mix Cheese Filling (Approx. 15 minutes)
Perfectly cooked whole wheat spaghetti with a firm, al dente bite. This fiber-rich pasta is the ideal healthy base for your favorite Italian-American sauces, from a hearty marinara to a classic meatball sauce.
A vibrant and flavorful tomato sauce made without any added salt. Packed with fresh basil, garlic, and oregano, this simple sauce is perfect for pasta, pizza, or as a base for other dishes. A healthy, homemade classic.
Tender, juicy chicken meatballs packed with garlic and herbs instead of salt. This heart-healthy recipe is pan-seared to golden perfection and ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for a flavorful, low-sodium meal.
Velvety, slow-cooked polenta forms a perfect base for earthy mushrooms sautéed with garlic and fresh herbs. A comforting and savory Italian-American classic, made heart-healthy with minimal sodium.
Layers of tender pasta, a rich and savory meat sauce, and a creamy blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. This classic Italian-American casserole is baked until bubbly and golden, making it the ultimate comfort food for family dinners.
This italian_american recipe takes 135 minutes to prepare and yields 8 servings. At 920.54 calories per serving with 58.96g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for dinner or supper.
Assemble the Lasagna (Approx. 15 minutes)
Bake and Rest the Lasagna (Approx. 60 minutes)
Replace the ground beef and sausage with 2 lbs of chopped vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, spinach (squeezed dry), and bell peppers. Sauté them well before adding to the tomato sauce.
Use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet, and add 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce for a spicy kick.
Substitute the tomato-based meat sauce with a creamy béchamel sauce. You can still include sausage or chicken for a hearty meal.
Add 1 cup of shredded provolone or fontina cheese to the mozzarella for an even more complex and gooey cheese layer.
The combination of ground beef, sausage, and three types of cheese provides a high amount of protein, which is essential for building and repairing tissues, muscle growth, and overall body function.
Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses are packed with calcium, a vital mineral for maintaining strong bones and teeth, as well as supporting nerve and muscle function.
The cooked tomato sauce is a great source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases and helps protect cells from damage.
A typical slice of this homemade lasagna contains approximately 650-750 calories, depending on the specific ingredients used, such as the fat content of the meat and cheese.
While delicious, this lasagna is a rich, calorie-dense comfort food high in saturated fat and sodium. It's best enjoyed in moderation. However, it does provide significant protein for muscle maintenance and calcium for bone health.
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire lasagna (without baking), cover it tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and refrigerate for up to 48 hours. When ready to bake, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
You can freeze it baked or unbaked. For an unbaked lasagna, assemble in a freezer-safe dish, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed. To freeze leftovers, store individual slices in airtight containers.
A watery lasagna can be caused by a few things: using low-fat or watery ricotta, not simmering the sauce long enough to thicken, or not letting the lasagna rest after baking. Using whole milk, low-moisture cheeses and allowing at least 15 minutes of rest time are key.
Yes, you can use no-boil (oven-ready) noodles. They absorb more liquid, so you may need to add an extra 1/2 cup of water or sauce to your meat sauce to ensure they cook properly. Follow the package directions, but generally, you can assemble and bake without pre-boiling.