Description
A classic Italian dish made simple, this Easy Lasagna Bolognese offers rich flavors with minimal effort, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
- ½ pound Italian sausage
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, finely diced
- 2 celery stalks, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth (or vegetable broth)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bolognese Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat, then add onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened. Stir in garlic and tomato paste, cooking for another minute.
- Simmer the Sauce to Perfection: Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth, add bay leaves, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: Combine ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella, half the Parmesan, the beaten egg, parsley, and nutmeg in a bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Layer the Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread Bolognese sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, layer with lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, and sauce, repeating the layers before finishing with a final layer of noodles and sauce topped with the remaining cheese.
- Bake to Bubbly Perfection: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Allow cheese mixture to come to room temperature for even cooking. Ensure your sauce is adequately hydrated for no-boil noodles to cook properly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the lasagna
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Lasagna, Bolognese, Italian, Comfort Food, Easy Recipe