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๐ง Ingredients Youโll Need
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) of your favorite marinara or homemade sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ยฝ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
- A pinch of salt and pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 9โ12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- A sprinkle of Parmesan for the golden finish
๐ช Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC).
- Cook the noodles according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until browned.
- Add garlic, tomato paste, and marinara sauce.
- Season with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer for 10โ15 minutes to let the flavors deepen.
- Mix the cheese filling:
- In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, mozzarella, parsley, and seasoning.
- Assemble the lasagna:
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Add a layer of noodles, then cheese mixture, then sauce.
- Repeat layers until the dish is full, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
- Bake uncovered for 30โ35 minutes (cover loosely with foil if it browns too quickly).
- Rest for 10 minutes before slicing โ this helps the layers hold together beautifully.
๐ง Tips for the Perfect Lasagna
- Make ahead: Lasagna tastes even better the next day! Assemble it a day early and refrigerate before baking.
- Freeze it: Wrap portions tightly for a quick and comforting future meal.
- Add veggies: Spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms blend beautifully into the sauce.
