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Homemade Lasagna

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This comforting homemade lasagna features layers of lean ground beef, rich cheeses, and classic Italian seasonings baked to perfection.
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Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 lbs ground beef (Use lean ground beef for less grease.)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (Adjust for desired spiciness.)
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 48 oz pasta sauce (2 jars) (Choose your preferred pasta sauce.)
Lasagna Layers
  • 16 oz lasagna noodles (Regular or no‑boil noodles.)
  • 16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (Add more for extra cheesiness.)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 24 oz cottage cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (Additional for topping.)
  • 1 large egg (Helps bind the cheese mixture.)
  • 1 tbsp dried parsley (For added flavor.)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with chopped onion until no pink remains. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
  3. Pour in the 48 oz pasta sauce, reduce heat, and simmer for 5–10 minutes to marry flavors.
Cooking the Noodles
  1. If using regular noodles, boil in salted water until al dente, drain, and separate so they don't stick. For no-boil noodles, skip boiling and handle gently.
Mixing the Cheese Filling
  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta, cottage cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan (reserve the rest for topping), egg, and dried parsley. Stir until combined. Taste and adjust salt/pepper.
Layering the Lasagna
  1. Spoon a thin layer of meat sauce on the pan bottom.
  2. Add a single layer of noodles, then a generous spread of the cheese mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, and cover with sauce.
  3. Repeat: noodles → cheese mixture → mozzarella → sauce. Aim for 3 layers, finishing with sauce and the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
Baking
  1. Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and browned to your liking.
  3. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing so the layers set.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 30gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5g

Notes

For a lighter version, swap half the beef for Italian turkey sausage or use more vegetables. No-boil noodles save time but ensure there's enough sauce to hydrate them. Cheese melting: Grate your own mozzarella for better melt and less stabilizers.
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