Easy Beef Lasagna
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Immerse yourself in the heartwarming comforts of homemade Italian cuisine with this hearty Beef Lasagna. Layered with rich, meaty marinara, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, each bite promises a symphony of flavors and textures that make this dish a timeless classic.
For the ultimate Beef Lasagna, don’t skimp on the sauce – it keeps the noodles moist during baking and adds incredible depth of flavor!
The Easiest Beef Lasagna Recipe
Feast your eyes on this spectacular Beef Lasagna, layered with love, and bursting with hearty flavors that embody the very essence of comfort food. Crafted with succulent ground beef that’s been simmered in a vibrant beefy marinara sauce, this dish sings with a rich symphony of flavors that only gets better with each layer.
But the magic truly happens when you layer the lasagna noodles with my creamy, dreamy ricotta cheese mixture. This secret weapon – a blend of ricotta, Parmesan, and eggs, strikes the perfect balance between creamy and tangy, complementing the robust marinara sauce like a culinary symphony. Add to that the joyous stretch of melted mozzarella cheese on top, bubbling away to golden perfection as it bakes, and you have a lasagna that is an absolute show-stopper.
Why You’ll Love This Beef Lasagna
- A Symphony of Flavors: This Beef Lasagna recipe isn’t just your typical pasta dish. It’s a harmonious blend of hearty ground beef, vibrant marinara, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. Each layer brings something unique to the table, creating a culinary symphony that’s sure to impress your tastebuds.
- Comfort Food at Its Finest: There’s something incredibly comforting about a homemade lasagna. Whether you’ve had a long day or just craving something warm and hearty, this dish is the perfect choice. The golden, bubbling cheese on top and the rich, meaty layers underneath make it the ultimate comfort food.
- Impress Your Guests: This Beef Lasagna isn’t just delicious; it’s also a showstopper. With its golden cheese topping and luscious layers, it’s sure to wow at dinner parties, potlucks, or family gatherings. Plus, it’s a dish that both kids and adults love, making it a safe choice for any occasion.
- Ground beef: The primary protein in this recipe, providing a rich, hearty base. You can substitute it with ground turkey, chicken, or a vegetarian alternative like lentils or plant-based ground meat.
- Onion: This ingredient adds sweetness and depth to the sauce. If you don’t have onions, you can substitute with shallots or even a bit of garlic for a different flavor profile.
- Dried oregano: This herb lends a warm, slightly bitter flavor that enhances the overall taste. If you don’t have oregano, you can use dried basil or Italian seasoning instead.
- Salt and Pepper: These are basic seasonings that bring out the flavor of the other ingredients. Feel free to adjust according to your taste preference.
- Marinara sauce: The main component of the lasagna’s sauce. If you don’t have marinara, you can substitute with any tomato-based pasta sauce or even make your own.
- Water: Used to thin out the sauce a bit and help the noodles cook properly.
- Ricotta cheese: This gives the lasagna its creamy, rich texture. If you can’t find ricotta, cottage cheese or even soft tofu could be used as a substitute.
- Eggs: They help bind the cheese mixture together. If you’re avoiding eggs, you can use a flax or chia “egg”.
- Parmesan cheese: It gives a salty, umami flavor to the lasagna. If you don’t have Parmesan, try using another hard, aged cheese like Pecorino Romano or Asiago.
- Lasagna noodles: These form the structure of the lasagna. Feel free to use regular, whole wheat, or gluten-free based on your dietary needs or preference. No need to cook these, we’re going to add these just as they are.
- Mozzarella cheese: This provides the melty, stretchy top layer of the lasagna. If you don’t have mozzarella, you can use another melting cheese like Monterey Jack or a blend of Italian cheeses.
Making this Beef Lasagna is as simple as sautéing, stirring, layering, and baking – it’s a straightforward, satisfying dish that’s full of flavor yet incredibly easy to put together.
First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Set it to 375℉ and let it warm up while we move on to the next step.
Grab your favorite saucepan or skillet and let’s cook up some deliciousness. Start by browning the ground beef until there’s no pink left. Then throw in your diced onion, a good sprinkle of oregano, and a dash of salt and pepper. Let all that cook together until your onion looks nice and soft.
Now it’s time to make things saucy. Pour in that jar of marinara sauce and a cup of water. Stir it all together, let it come to a boil, then take it off the heat. Your kitchen must be smelling pretty amazing right now!
In a separate bowl, let’s get cheesy. Combine the ricotta cheese, the rest of the oregano, your eggs, Parmesan cheese, and a little bit more salt and pepper. Mix until it’s all nicely blended.
Now comes the fun part – layering! Grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and start by spreading a bit of your meat sauce at the bottom. Layer three lasagna noodles over that, then spread some of your cheesy mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella.
Repeat this with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, cheese mixture, and mozzarella, ending with a cheesy top. It’s like building a savory, delicious tower!
Let’s get this beauty in the oven. It’ll need about an hour to cook – this will ensure those noodles are perfectly tender. Feel free to check it with a fork near the end of cooking time to make sure those noodles are cooked just right.
And voila! There you have it, a labor of love and flavor all in one dish. Trust me, every bite will be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap, cover with foil, and bake as directed.
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can. Ground turkey, chicken, or even a vegetarian meat alternative would work well in this recipe.
Can this lasagna be frozen?
Definitely! This lasagna freezes beautifully. Just be sure to wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then bake as directed.
Can I use fresh pasta instead of dried lasagna noodles?
Yes, you can use fresh lasagna noodles. They are typically softer than dried ones and won’t need as long to cook. However, they can be more delicate to handle, so be careful not to tear them during assembly.
Can I add vegetables to this lasagna?
Of course! Feel free to add spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, or any other veggies you enjoy. Just make sure to cook them first to remove excess moisture so that your lasagna doesn’t become soggy.
Expert Tips
- Use Quality Ingredients: Because this dish has so few ingredients, the quality of each one matters. Use a marinara sauce and cheeses that you really love, and you’ll taste the difference in the final dish.
- Don’t Rush the Cooking Process: Lasagna takes time, but the result is worth it. Let the sauce simmer and the lasagna bake fully. Your patience will be rewarded with a perfectly cooked, flavorful dish.
- Let the Lasagna Rest: After removing the lasagna from the oven, let it rest for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the lasagna to set and makes it easier to cut into neat slices.
- Sufficient Sauce is Key: Make sure you have enough sauce to cover every layer of noodles. This will keep the noodles from drying out as they cook in the oven.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: For the best flavor and melt, grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese often contains additives to prevent clumping, which can also prevent it from melting as smoothly.
Storage
Storing this Beef Lasagna is a breeze. If you have any leftovers, just let them cool down completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop a slice in the microwave or warm it up in a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through.
If you’re planning to freeze it, be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, and it can be kept frozen for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as described when you’re ready to enjoy it again.
Other Great Lasagna Recipes To Try
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Easy Beef Lasagna
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 tablespoon oregano (dried)
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 24 ounce marinara sauce ((1 jar/680 g))
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounce ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375℉.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, cook the ground beef until no longer pink, roughly 5-7 minutes. Stir in the diced onion, a tablespoon of dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
- To this mixture, add the marinara sauce and a cup of water. Stir to combine, bring the mixture to a boil, and then remove from heat. This process should take about 10 minutes.
- While your sauce is cooling slightly, take a separate bowl and combine the ricotta cheese, the remaining tablespoon of dried oregano, eggs, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix these together until well blended.
- Now, it's time to assemble your lasagna. In a 9×13 inch baking dish, start with a layer of the meat sauce. Lay three lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread some of the cheese mixture and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat these layers until you've used all of your noodles, finishing with a final layer of cheese mixture and mozzarella.
- Place your assembled lasagna in the preheated oven and bake for approximately one hour. Use a fork to check that the noodles are cooked through, then remove from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes before serving. This lasagna is a labor of love that brings together all the comfort and warmth of classic Italian cuisine.
Equipment
Notes
- Customizing Your Meat: You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a vegetarian alternative if desired.
- Cheese Alternatives: If you’re out of ricotta cheese, you can use cottage cheese as a replacement.
- Adding Veggies: If you’d like to add a little more nutrition to your dish, feel free to add some finely chopped vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to the sauce.
- Cooking Time: Cooking times may vary slightly based on individual oven temperatures. It’s always a good idea to check your lasagna a bit earlier to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
- Resting Time: For best results, let the lasagna rest for 15-20 minutes after baking. This will help it set and make it easier to serve.
- Freezing and Storing: This lasagna freezes beautifully! If you plan to freeze it, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. To reheat, thaw it in the fridge overnight and then bake as directed.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
