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Delicious meaty and cheesy lasagna served in a baking dish

Meaty and Cheesy Lasagna

A hearty and comforting lasagna loaded with layers of pasta, savory beef, and gooey cheese, perfect for family dinners any night of the week.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Meat
  • 12 pieces lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular)
  • 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage) Use Italian sausage for a spicier variant.
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Store-bought or homemade.
Cheese Filling
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg Used to bind the cheese mixture.
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Reserve half for layering.
Seasoning
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil For garnish.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente, or skip this step if using no-boil noodles.
  3. In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until soft (about 3-4 minutes).
  4. Add the ground beef, break it up with a spatula, and season with salt, pepper, and oregano. Cook until browned, draining excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
  6. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, a pinch of salt, and half of the grated Parmesan until well blended.
Assembly
  1. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a deep baking dish. Layer with 4 lasagna noodles.
  2. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, sprinkle with mozzarella, and repeat layers: sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella.
  3. Finish with a layer of noodles topped with meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  4. Cover with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the cheese.
Baking
  1. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  2. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Don't stress over perfect layers. This dish is forgiving. Feel free to make it vegetarian by replacing the meat with veggies like mushrooms or zucchini. This lasagna freezes well if assembled but not baked.