Cincinnati-Style Five-Way Lasagna
Experience a delightful twist on traditional lasagna with this Cincinnati-Style Five-Way Lasagna! Inspired by the iconic Cincinnati chili, this dish layers savory ground beef and kidney beans in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic spices, creating a hearty one-dish meal. Perfectly complemented by tender no-boil lasagna noodles and topped with gooey sharp cheddar cheese, each slice brings a burst of flavors that will leave you craving more. Enjoy this comforting casserole during family gatherings, potlucks, or any night of the week!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable oil
1 teaspoon
Ground beef (93% lean recommended)
1 lb (crumbled)
Onion, chopped
1 cup
Tomato sauce (no salt added)
3 (8 ounce) cans
Garlic, minced
1 tablespoon
Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon
Chili powder
2 teaspoons
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon
Allspice
1/2 teaspoon
Ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper
to taste (optional)
No-boil lasagna noodles
8
Red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can
Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups
Instructions
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1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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2. In a large Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until finely crumbled and browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped onion and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft.
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3. Lower the heat to medium and add in the tomato sauce, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to combine, and allow the mixture to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and flavorful.
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4. Prepare an 8x9x3 inch glass casserole dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray.
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5. Begin layering the lasagna: Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish. Place 2 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, followed by another cup of meat sauce, 1/3 of the drained kidney beans, and 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
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6. Repeat the layering process two more times: 2 lasagna noodles, 1 cup of meat sauce, 1/3 of the kidney beans, and 1/4 cup of cheese.
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7. For the final layer, place the last 2 lasagna noodles on top, pour over the remaining meat sauce, and top generously with the remaining cheddar cheese.
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8. To prevent sticking, spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray and cover the lasagna tightly with it.
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9. Bake the covered lasagna for 50 minutes. After that, uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
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10. Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cincinnati-Style Five-Way Lasagna?
It is a unique twist on traditional lasagna inspired by iconic Cincinnati chili, layering beef, kidney beans, aromatic spices, and cheddar cheese.
What are the five components that make it 'Five-Way'?
The 'five ways' are represented by the lasagna noodles, the spiced meat sauce, kidney beans, onions, and sharp cheddar cheese.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
What type of ground beef is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 1 lb of 93% lean ground beef for the best results.
How do I prepare the meat and onion?
Brown the ground beef in vegetable oil until crumbled, then add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
What signature spices are used in the sauce?
The sauce features a blend of chili powder, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, and optional cayenne pepper.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
The meat sauce should simmer for 10-15 minutes until it is slightly thickened and flavorful.
What type of lasagna noodles does this recipe require?
This recipe specifically uses 8 no-boil lasagna noodles.
What kind of beans are used in this lasagna?
The recipe calls for one 15-ounce can of red kidney beans, rinsed and drained.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
Two cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese are used for the layers and the topping.
What size casserole dish is needed?
An 8x9x3 inch glass casserole dish is the recommended size.
How should I prepare the baking dish?
Spray the glass casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray before you begin layering.
What is the first step in layering the lasagna?
Spread 1 cup of the prepared meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish.
How many noodles are used in each layer?
Each layer typically uses 2 lasagna noodles.
How are the kidney beans distributed?
The beans are divided into thirds and added during the first three layering sequences.
How much cheese goes inside the layers?
Each internal layer receives 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
What goes on the final layer?
The last 2 noodles are topped with the remaining meat sauce and a generous amount of the remaining cheddar cheese.
How do I prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil?
Spray a piece of aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray before covering the dish.
How long does the lasagna bake while covered?
The lasagna should bake covered for 50 minutes.
How long does the lasagna bake while uncovered?
After the initial 50 minutes, bake it uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbling.
Is the lasagna spicy?
It has a complex, aromatic flavor from cinnamon and cloves, but the heat level depends on how much cayenne pepper you choose to add.
Why should the lasagna rest after baking?
Resting for at least 10 minutes allows the sauce to set and makes the lasagna easier to slice.
Can I use regular lasagna noodles?
This recipe is designed for no-boil noodles; if using regular ones, you would need to boil them first.
How much tomato sauce is required?
You will need three 8-ounce cans of no-salt-added tomato sauce.
What other liquid seasonings are in the sauce?
The sauce includes 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Does the recipe use fresh garlic?
Yes, it calls for 1 tablespoon of minced garlic.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including the optional cayenne pepper.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as family-friendly and is a comforting casserole suitable for gatherings.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While sharp cheddar is traditional for Cincinnati chili, you could substitute it with a mild cheddar or a Mexican blend if preferred.
What makes the beef 'finely crumbled'?
Breaking it apart with a spoon while browning in the Dutch oven ensures the fine texture characteristic of Cincinnati chili.