Description
This Easy Beef Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food! Layers of tender pasta, rich beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella make this dish a family favorite. Perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings, it’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s surprisingly simple to make. Pair it with garlic bread and a side salad for a complete Italian-inspired feast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Sauce:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and onion over medium heat until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Mix the Ricotta Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Spread 1/2 cup of the beef sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the beef sauce, and sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers twice more, ending with a final layer of beef sauce and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Substitute ground turkey or Italian sausage for a twist.
- For a vegetarian version, use sautéed spinach and mushrooms instead of beef.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Main Course