Perfectly Proportioned Lasagna for Two
Say goodbye to endless leftovers and hello to a delightful, smaller lasagna designed just for two! This exquisite dish captures all the rich flavors of a traditional lasagna while ensuring that you won’t be drowning in extra portions. Featuring layers of perfectly cooked noodles, savory lean ground beef, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, this lasagna is ideal for date nights or cozy dinners at home. Enjoy a comforting meal without the hassle of leftovers to deal with!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
uncooked lasagna noodles
6 ((I use low-glycemic Dreamfield's))
lean ground beef
8 ounces
freshly minced onion
1/2 cup
garlic cloves
2-4 (chopped)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
dried basil
1 teaspoon
salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
olive oil
1 tablespoon
marinara sauce
15 ounces
ricotta cheese
1 cup
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup
sliced mozzarella cheese
8 ounces
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Boil a pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced onion and chopped garlic for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
4
Add the lean ground beef to the skillet. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up into smaller pieces as it cooks.
5
Stir in the marinara sauce and reduce heat to low. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water to maintain a good consistency.
6
In a separate bowl, whisk together the ricotta cheese, egg, and grated parmesan to create a smooth mixture.
7
In the bottom of a small loaf pan, spread about 1 cup of the meat sauce across the base. Layer two of the cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
8
Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles. Add another two noodles followed by the ricotta mixture, spreading it evenly on top.
9
Place the final two noodles on top of the ricotta. Pour the last bit of meat sauce over this layer and finish with a generous layer of sliced mozzarella cheese.
10
Cover the pan loosely with foil and bake for 45 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to turn golden brown.
11
Once baked, let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to serve.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Perfectly Proportioned Lasagna for Two?
It is a smaller lasagna recipe designed specifically for two portions, featuring noodles, beef, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese without excess leftovers.
What size pan should I use for this lasagna recipe?
You should use a small loaf pan to ensure the layers and proportions are correct for two people.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is perfectly proportioned to provide two individual servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) for optimal baking.
How many lasagna noodles are needed for this small batch?
You will need a total of 6 lasagna noodles for this recipe.
What type of ground beef is recommended?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of lean ground beef to create the savory meat sauce.
Do I need to cook the noodles before assembling the lasagna?
Yes, you should boil the lasagna noodles in salted water according to the package instructions before layering.
What ingredients are included in the meat sauce?
The sauce is made with lean ground beef, minced onion, chopped garlic, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and marinara sauce.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
Let the meat sauce simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
What should I do if the meat sauce becomes too thick while simmering?
If the sauce thickens too much, you can add a small splash of water to maintain a good consistency.
What goes into the creamy ricotta mixture?
The mixture consists of 1 cup of ricotta cheese, 1 lightly beaten egg, and 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
How should I layer the ingredients in the loaf pan?
Start with a base of meat sauce, then layer noodles, meat sauce, noodles, the ricotta mixture, more noodles, remaining sauce, and finish with mozzarella.
How much marinara sauce is required?
The recipe requires 15 ounces of your preferred marinara sauce.
What seasonings are used for the beef?
The beef is seasoned with 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
How long do I bake the lasagna with foil on?
Bake the lasagna loosely covered with foil for 45 minutes.
When do I remove the foil during baking?
Remove the foil after 45 minutes and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the cheese to turn golden brown.
How much mozzarella cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of sliced mozzarella cheese for the final layer.
Why is it important to let the lasagna rest after baking?
Letting the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes allows the layers to set, making it much easier to slice and serve.
What is the purpose of adding an egg to the ricotta?
The egg acts as a binder, helping the ricotta and parmesan mixture stay together when sliced.
How much olive oil is used for sautéing?
You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil to sauté the onion and garlic.
How much onion do I need to mince?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of freshly minced onion.
How many garlic cloves should I use?
You can use 2 to 4 chopped garlic cloves depending on your taste preference.
Can I use low-glycemic lasagna noodles?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests Dreamfield's low-glycemic noodles as a viable option.
Is the parmesan cheese supposed to be fresh?
Yes, the recipe recommends using 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese for better flavor.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this dish?
This lasagna features savory beef, aromatic garlic and onion, herbal notes of oregano and basil, and a rich cheesy finish.
How many noodles go in each layer?
There are three layers of noodles, with two noodles used per layer to fit the loaf pan.
Is this recipe considered difficult to make?
No, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is designed to be a simple, quick meal for two.
Can I substitute another ground meat for beef?
While the recipe specifies lean ground beef, you can substitute other ground meats, though it may change the flavor profile.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
The recipe includes 14 specific ingredients to achieve its traditional Italian flavor.
Why is this recipe ideal for date nights?
It offers a comforting, high-quality Italian meal in a perfect size for two people, creating a cozy and intimate dining experience.