Description
A rich, cheesy, layered lasagna that embodies the spirit of comfort food, perfect for cozy evenings and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 pound ground beef (93/7)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (15 oz) cans tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese (grated)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese (grated, for topping)
Instructions
- Sauté the aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until it’s translucent. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until nicely browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Create the sauce: Once the beef is browned, pour in the canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Add the water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian seasoning, and salt to taste. Stir well and let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture: In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, ½ teaspoon dried basil, parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook the noodles: While your sauce simmers, cook your lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Begin layering: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom. Place a layer of noodles on top, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the meat sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers, ending with a final layer of noodles and the remaining sauce on top.
- Add the final touches: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top layer of sauce.
- Bake to perfection: Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let it rest: Once it’s out of the oven, allow the lasagna to set for about 15-20 minutes.
Notes
This lasagna is a cherished family recipe that can be adapted with various ingredients for a personal touch. It can also be made vegetarian by swapping the ground beef for sautéed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: lasagna, comfort food, family recipe, Italian, cheesy