This beef lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a hearty meal. It is made with layers of pasta, beef, and cheese, and is baked in the oven. This dish can be made ahead of time and frozen, or made fresh and served immediately. It is important to cook the beef and pasta ahead of time before assembling the dish, so that the lasagna does not become overcooked.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 3 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Method
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a large saucepan, cook beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until thickened.
- Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drain.
- In a medium bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
- To assemble, spread 1/2 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer with 6 noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat layers. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until lasagna is lightly toasted.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many potential changes and improvements that can be made to this dish. For example, you could use a different type of meat, such as ground turkey or sausage. You could also add vegetables to the dish, such as spinach or mushrooms. Additionally, you could use a different type of cheese, such as provolone or cheddar.
What other food it works well with
This dish goes well with a variety of other foods. Try serving it with a salad and some garlic bread. You could also add a side of roasted vegetables.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making this dish is to not cook the beef and pasta ahead of time. This can cause the lasagna to become overcooked. Another mistake is to use too much meat sauce. Be sure to use just enough to cover the noodles and not have any extra.
Nutritional Information
This dish is high in calories and fat. It is also high in protein and carbohydrates.
Allergens
This dish contains dairy, wheat, and eggs.