Description
Indulge in this definitive Italian-American lasagna that delivers a restaurant-quality experience right in your home kitchen. This recipe utilizes a deeply flavorful, slow-simmered beef bolognese paired with creamy whole-milk ricotta and fresh mozzarella. By focusing on high-quality aromatics and proper layering techniques, you achieve perfect texture and balance without the need for pork products or alcohol, making it an ideal hearty comfort meal for the whole family.
Ingredients
2 lbs Ground Beef (85% lean)
1 box Lasagna Noodles
32 oz Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese
24 oz Mozzarella Cheese (shredded)
1 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
28 oz Crushed Tomatoes (San Marzano)
6 oz Tomato Paste
1/2 cup Fresh Basil (chopped)
1 cup Onion (diced)
1 cup Carrot (diced)
1 cup Celery (diced)
1 tbsp Dried Oregano
Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until no pink remains.
Add diced onions, carrots, and celery, cooking until softened.
Stir in tomato paste and cook for three minutes to caramelize.
Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and dried oregano; simmer for 45 minutes.
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and cheeses, repeating until ingredients are used.
Top with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until bubbling and golden.
Notes
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter version. Ensure the ricotta is drained of excess moisture to prevent a watery lasagna. For best results, let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes after baking before slicing to ensure the layers hold together.
- Prep Time: 45
- Cook Time: 90
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg