Forktionary

Absolute Best Ever Lasagna Recipe

This meat-lover's lasagna recipe is a family favorite! Loaded with savory ground beef and your choice of creamy cottage cheese or ricotta, this recipe delivers ultimate comfort food. Easy to follow instructions guide you to lasagna perfection – guaranteed to become your new go-to weeknight meal or impressive party dish!

Prep Time 45 mins
Cook Time 150 mins
Calories 517.1 kcal
Protein 73g
Rating 4.3 (560 Reviews)
Absolute Best Ever Lasagna 79

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

  • 2 lbs Lean Ground Beef
  • 1 lb Italian Sausage
  • 1 large Onion, chopped
  • 4-6 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley Flakes
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil
  • 2 (28 ounce) cans Crushed Tomatoes
  • 2 lbs Ricotta Cheese
  • 2 large Eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped Fresh Parsley
  • 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 lb Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
  • 9 Lasagna Noodles
  • 1 (15 ounce) can Tomato Sauce
  • 1/2 cup Water (or dry red wine)
  • 1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)
  • 1 Bay Leaf (optional)
  • Olive Oil, for drizzling

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How to Make Absolute Best Ever Lasagna

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat; drain excess fat.
  3. Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  6. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
  7. Spread half of the cottage cheese (or ricotta) over the noodles.
  8. Top with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/4 of the Parmesan cheese.
  9. Repeat layers: meat sauce, 3 noodles, remaining cottage cheese, 1/3 mozzarella cheese, 1/4 Parmesan cheese.
  10. Top with remaining 3 noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella cheese, and remaining Parmesan cheese.
  11. Drizzle with olive oil.
  12. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  13. Remove foil and bake for an additional 30-45 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

34 g

Sugar

15g

Fat

75g

Carbs

8g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Main Courses Main Dish / Dinner Beef & Red Meat Ground Beef Recipes European Italian Baking

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Weeknight Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Cuisine Preparation Occasion Main Dish Beef Eggs Dairy Pasta Oven European Dinner Party Romantic Italian Lasagna Cheese Dietary Comfort Food Low Carb Ground Beef Low In Something Meat Pasta Rice And Grains Taste Mood Equipment 4 Hours Or Less