Lasagna
We had company for dinner, and I wanted to make a tasty meal that would satisfy the kids and the adults–lasagna was a perfect choice. I usually make it with Italian turkey sausage and lots of veggies, or a roasted vegetable lasagna, or lasagna Bolognese, mushroom and spinach lasagna, but this time I decided to make it very simple. I used ground beef and fresh basil from the garden, and it turned out amazing–the cheese was gooey, and the meat was tender. I served this easy ground beef lasagna recipe with a simple but tasty Italian salad and breadsticks, and the meal was a big hit with everyone.
Lasagna
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. of ground beef
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, to taste
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15-oz) container of ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs, well-beaten
- ½ cup of Parmesan cheese, finely grated, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked to al dente, according to the package instructions
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 4 cups of marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
How to Make a Lasagna:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Cook the beef and aromatics by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking it up into crumbles, for 3-4 minutes.
Add the onion, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes.
Add the garlic and cook for 60 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, drain, and discard any grease.
Prepare the ricotta mixture by combining the ricotta, eggs, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Combine until mixed well.
Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of well-salted boiling water according to the package instructions, then drain.
Layer a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with just enough sauce to coat the bottom.
Prepare the lasagna by laying three lasagna noodles in the pan.
Next, spread some of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
Next, spoon some of the ground beef mixture on top, followed by a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.
Spoon some sauce over the cheese; repeat layering using the remaining ingredients.
On the final top layer of noodles, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle the top with some mozzarella cheese and the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
Bake the lasagna covered with foil for 30 minutes.
Uncover and bake for 15 minutes.
Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 lb. of ground beef
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- Pinch of red pepper flakes to taste
- Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1 15-oz container of ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs well-beaten
- ½ cup of Parmesan cheese finely grated, divided
- 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
- 9 lasagna noodles cooked to al dente, according to the package instructions
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 cups of marinara sauce homemade or store-bought
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the beef and aromatics by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking it up into crumbles, for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the onion, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring often, for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 60 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, drain, and discard any grease.
- Prepare the ricotta mixture by combining the ricotta, eggs, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, fresh chopped basil, sea salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Combine until mixed well.
- Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of well-salted boiling water according to the package instructions, then drain.
- Layer a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with just enough sauce to coat the bottom.
- Prepare the lasagna by laying three lasagna noodles in the pan.
- Next, spread some of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Next, spoon some of the ground beef mixture on top, followed by a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon some sauce over the cheese; repeat layering using the remaining ingredients.
- On the final top layer of noodles, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle the top with some mozzarella cheese and the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the lasagna covered with foil for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for 15 minutes.
- Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy.
Yum, yum, YUM! Those layers look amazing and I swear I can smell lasagna when I look at it!
That looks and sounds like a perfect lasagna. Good job!
I stumbled across your page and I must admit, all your recipes look delicious. I’m definitely going to try this lasagna, it looks fantastic. Thank you very much – keep up the great work!
lasagna happens to me one of my favorite comfort foods, and it looks like you make a mean one! properly saucy and cheesy and spiced–forget seconds, i’d be going back for thirds! 🙂
That top most layer looks amazing, not that the others wouldn’t! Going for my fork now. Mmm I might bring 2 forks back instead of one 😉
I haven’t made a lasagna in over 5 years. I think that I need to make one this weekend. Simple lasagnas always taste the best.
I love lasagna. It looks really tasty.
Oh, I love lasagna, and this recipe looks simply delicious! I agree that the turkey makes a more guilt free dish, but the ground beef is a winner in my book!
This looks delicious and what a beautiful photo. Thank you!
oooeeeyyyy gooooeeeeyyyy lasagna..Yum!
Looks like cheesy goodness to me:)
I can make a huge dent in this dish right now. It looks so yummee and delicious!!!
Just look at that golden brown melted cheese on top.
I am using this recipe tonight for dinner…..craving lasagna….and Your site is my first to go to for Just about any dish i make. Thanks so much for all the yummy food !!! =)
I was looking for a simple lasagna recipe and did not want to use the one from the box of noodles. Where else to go but here. Great recipe turned out wonderfully, when my wife Kim said to just go with the flow and not follow the recipe– I said no way. This is too simple and will have great results. — And it did. What a hit!
Having it again tonight. Love this recipe. Your blog makes it so easy to find great, simple and well balanced recipes– thank you Pam for such a great blog.
How many servings is this recipe?
8-10 depending on how big you cut the slices. I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Pam