Easy Ricotta Meat Lasagna: Comforting Italian Flavor with No Hassle
By Emma Collins
Prep
45 min
Cook
45 min
Total
90 min
Servings
4
Level
Easy
Whole milk ricotta cheese is used in this easy lasagna recipe for flavor and texture․ Whole milk ricotta cheese adds flavor and substance to this lasagna dish along with other ingredients‚ including pasta and meat sauce․ Ingredients in this lasagna recipe include ground beef‚ Italian sausage‚ fresh herbs‚ and melted mozzarella cheese․ This lasagna recipe is for the whole family․
Ingredient choices contribute to the comfort aspects of classic lasagna․ Full-fat ricotta offers creaminess and other flavors to add to lasagna․ Ground meat adds more savory flavors that pair well with lasagna toppings‚ including tomato sauce and cheeses․
Arrange the lasagna layers and other ingredients evenly for optimal taste․ A common lasagna mistake is serving hot lasagna; cooling it before serving helps maintain the lasagna's layered structure when serving․ Monitor the baking lasagna to judge how long to bake it for optimal serving temperature and other qualities‚ such as a golden‚ bubbling top․
Serve the lasagna with garlic bread and green salad on the side for a full meal․ Lasagna can be stored in the refrigerator safely for up to four days and may taste better the second day as the flavors meld․
Why you'll love this recipe
- Made with whole milk ricotta to provide richness and texture to the dish and enhance other flavors․
- A mixture of ground beef and Italian sausage makes a tasty‚ attractive meal suitable for everyone at the table․
- Assembles easily and is a good choice for home cooks who want to prepare this meal ahead of time as a dinner option․
- Freezes well‚ which lets you save some portions in the freezer and enjoy them later with that comforting taste․
- Belly fullness can be achieved using hearty textures and authentic Italian flavors that will appeal to all diners․
- Simple ingredients‚ all of which add unique flavors to this classic recipe and help make a delicious dish with minimal preparation․
Ingredients
- •15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese (preferably full-fat)
- •1 large egg
- •2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- •1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- •1 tsp Italian seasoning
- •1 tsp salt (to taste)
- •1 tsp black pepper (to taste)
- •2 tbsp olive oil
- •1 large yellow onion (diced)
- •1 lb ground beef (combination with ground sausage recommended)
- •1 lb ground Italian sausage
- •3 cloves minced garlic (added at the end of cooking)
- •½ cup chicken broth (for deglazing)
- •24 oz jarred marinara sauce (quality recommended)
- •2 tbsp tomato paste
- •1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- •1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- •9 lasagna noodles no-boil recommended
- •½ cup fresh chopped parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Mix the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
- 2
Sauté diced onion in olive oil until soft, about 8-10 minutes.
- 3
Add ground beef and sausage, cooking until browned.
- 4
Stir in minced garlic for the last minute to enhance flavor.
- 5
Drain excess fat from the pan.
- 6
Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
- 7
Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, optional hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, and simmer gently.
- 8
Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
- 9
Assemble the lasagna by spreading sauce in the dish, layering noodles, cheese mixture, and sauce, repeating twice more.
- 10
End with noodles and remaining sauce, topping with 1 cup of mozzarella.
- 11
Bake covered with foil at 375°F for 30 minutes.
- 12
Uncover and bake for another 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- 13
Rest the lasagna for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
- 14
Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
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