Description
Indulge in this hearty, authentic Italian-American lasagna featuring layers of tender pasta, a robust slow-simmered beef marinara, and a luxurious triple-cheese blend. This recipe is designed for home cooks who want professional-quality results, focusing on moisture balance and structural integrity to ensure perfect, clean slices every time. With creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and savory ground beef, this comfort food staple is ideal for family gatherings and satisfying dinners.
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef (85/15 lean)
32 oz full-fat ricotta cheese
24 oz mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
1 cup aged parmesan cheese, freshly grated
48 oz thick marinara sauce
16 oz lasagna noodles
1 large egg
2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked and drain excess fat.
Stir the marinara sauce into the beef and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, half of the parmesan, and chopped spinach until smooth.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of mozzarella and more meat sauce.
Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous topping of mozzarella and the remaining parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Resting the lasagna for at least 15 minutes is crucial for the layers to set and ensure the slices remain neat. If using no-boil noodles, ensure your sauce is slightly thinner to provide enough moisture for the pasta to rehydrate properly.
- Prep Time: 45
- Cook Time: 60
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 115mg