Pepperoni & Cream Cheese Delight Lasagna
This Pepperoni & Cream Cheese Delight Lasagna is a beloved family favorite that transcends generations. With a creamy, rich filling and zesty pepperoni layered between tender oven-ready noodles, this hearty dish brings comfort food to a new level. Perfect for gatherings or cozy family dinners, this recipe is surprisingly simple to follow and allows for the use of low-fat ingredients without compromising flavor—a true win-win. Despite its indulgent taste, you can enjoy it guilt-free as you whip up a delightful lasagna that will have everyone asking for seconds. Serve with warm French or artisan bread for a complete meal experience.
6
Servings
533
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 lb (cooked and drained if necessary)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
tomato sauce
1 (8 ounce) can (no preparation needed)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (no preparation needed)
water
1/4 cup (no preparation needed)
dried parsley
1 tablespoon (no preparation needed)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
beef bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (no preparation needed)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (no preparation needed)
cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (softened)
cottage cheese
1 cup (small curd, can use low fat)
sour cream
1/4 cup (can use less fat)
eggs
2 (beaten)
lasagna noodles
16 ounces (uncooked, oven ready)
mozzarella cheese
2 cups (shredded)
grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (no preparation needed)
pepperoni slices
1/4 cup (no preparation needed)
bell pepper rings
6 (your color choice, added for topping)
Instructions
1
In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
2
Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned and fully cooked, then drain any excess fat if necessary.
3
Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, dried parsley, Italian seasoning, beef bouillon granules, and garlic powder. Allow this mixture to simmer while you prepare the cheese filling.
4
In a separate bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and beaten eggs. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well blended. Set aside.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
6
In a 12x8x2 inch pan, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.
7
Layer the uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce and a sprinkle of pepperoni slices.
8
Repeat layering until all ingredients are used, reserving some mozzarella cheese for topping. Ensure to finish with the remaining mozzarella on top. Note: You may not need to use all the noodles.
9
Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven.
10
After 1 hour, carefully remove the cover, and artfully arrange the bell pepper rings on top. Re-cover the dish and return it to the oven to bake for an additional 15 minutes.
11
Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and keep it covered for 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to develop even further.
12
Cut into pieces and serve warm, paired perfectly with slices of French or artisan bread.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
40g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Pepperoni & Cream Cheese Delight Lasagna unique?
This recipe stands out due to its rich, creamy filling made from a blend of cream cheese, cottage cheese, and sour cream, paired with the zesty kick of layered pepperoni slices.
Do I need to boil the lasagna noodles before assembly?
No, this recipe specifically calls for 16 ounces of oven-ready lasagna noodles used uncooked, which save time and absorb moisture from the sauce during baking.
Can I use low-fat ingredients for this lasagna?
Yes, the recipe allows for low-fat versions of cottage cheese and sour cream without compromising the flavor of the dish.
What kind of meat is used in the sauce?
The recipe uses one pound of lean ground beef, which is cooked and drained before being mixed with the tomato-based sauce.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This lasagna recipe is designed to serve 6 people.
What is the recommended baking temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) for baking the lasagna.
What ingredients are in the cheese filling?
The cheese filling is a mixture of softened cream cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and two beaten eggs.
How do I prevent the lasagna from sticking to the pan?
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the 12x8x2 inch pan before adding the first layer of noodles.
What spices are used to season the meat sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with dried parsley, Italian seasoning, beef bouillon granules, and garlic powder.
How long does the lasagna need to bake in total?
The lasagna bakes for a total of 1 hour and 15 minutes: 1 hour covered with foil, and an additional 15 minutes after adding the bell pepper rings.
When should I add the bell pepper rings?
The bell pepper rings should be artfully arranged on top of the lasagna after it has finished its initial 1 hour of baking.
Why is there a resting period after taking it out of the oven?
A 10-15 minute resting period allows the flavors to develop further and makes the lasagna easier to cut into clean slices.
What should I serve with this lasagna?
It is perfectly paired with warm slices of French or artisan bread.
How many calories are in one serving of this lasagna?
Each serving contains approximately 533 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 30g of protein.
How much fat is in this dish?
One serving contains 30g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 40g of carbohydrates in each serving.
Does the recipe require tomato paste and tomato sauce?
Yes, it uses one 8-ounce can of tomato sauce and one 6-ounce can of tomato paste for a rich meat sauce.
What size pan is needed?
A 12x8x2 inch rectangular baking pan is recommended.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, split between the filling and the topping.
What color bell peppers should I use?
The choice is yours; you can use any color of bell pepper rings for the topping.
Is there Parmesan cheese in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese is included among the ingredients.
Can I use regular lasagna noodles if I don't have oven-ready ones?
If using regular noodles, you would need to boil them first according to package directions before layering.
What is the purpose of adding water to the sauce?
The 1/4 cup of water helps thin the sauce slightly so there is enough moisture to cook the oven-ready noodles while baking.
How do I sauté the onions?
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a heavy skillet and sauté the chopped onions until they are golden brown.
Should the cream cheese be cold when mixing?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure it blends smoothly with the other cheese filling ingredients.
Is this a good recipe for family gatherings?
Absolutely, it is described as a beloved family favorite that is hearty and comforting for gatherings.
How many pepperoni slices are used?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of pepperoni slices layered within the lasagna.
Do I need to use all 16 ounces of noodles?
Not necessarily; depending on your pan and layering, you may not need to use all of the noodles.
Is this considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and simple to follow, despite its indulgent taste.