Ultimate Hearty Meat Lasagna
This Ultimate Hearty Meat Lasagna is the epitome of comfort food, packed with layers of rich flavor and a delightful combination of textures. My family's favorite, this lasagna is generously layered with a savory meat sauce made from lean ground beef and Italian sausage, complemented by aromatic herbs. Instead of traditional ricotta, we prefer cottage cheese, which contributes a creamy texture without overwhelming the dish. This lasagna is perfect for gatherings and ensures that everyone leaves the table satisfied. Whether for a Sunday dinner or a cozy family night, this recipe is bound to become a staple in your kitchen.
N/A
Servings
380
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
1 1/2 lbs (browned)
Italian sausage or ground veal
1/2 lb (browned)
large onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
2-3 (minced)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
fresh coarse ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
dried parsley flakes
1 tablespoon (added to sauce)
dried oregano
1 tablespoon (added to sauce)
dried basil
1 tablespoon (added to sauce)
whole tomatoes
2 (14 1/2 ounce cans) (undrained and chopped)
tomato paste
12 ounces (added to sauce)
cottage cheese or ricotta cheese
24 ounces (combined with egg mixture)
eggs
2 (beaten)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
parsley
2 tablespoons (added to cheese mixture)
grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (added to cheese mixture)
mozzarella cheese
1 lb (shredded, divided)
lasagna noodles
12-15 (cooked according to package directions)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onion, and minced garlic over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
2
Stir in the salt, black pepper, parsley, oregano, and basil. Add the chopped tomatoes along with their juice and the tomato paste. Mix well to combine all flavors.
3
Cover the skillet and let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 1 hour. Stir occasionally, adding a little water if the mixture becomes too dry.
4
While the sauce is simmering, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and spray a 13 x 9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
6
In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese (or ricotta cheese), beaten eggs, black pepper, 2 tablespoons of parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, mixing until well combined.
7
Assemble the lasagna in the prepared baking pan: start with a layer of noodles, followed by a layer of the meat sauce, then a layer of the cheese mixture. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of noodles on top.
8
Cover the top layer of noodles completely with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-60 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You may want to cover the lasagna with aluminum foil for the first 40 minutes, then remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes to allow the top to golden slightly.
10
Once done, allow the lasagna to sit for 15-20 minutes before cutting it into squares and serving.
Nutrition Information
22g
Fat
24g
Carbs
24g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Hearty Meat Lasagna?
It is a comfort food dish featuring layers of savory meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage, aromatic herbs, and a creamy cheese mixture.
What meats are used in the lasagna sauce?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef and 1/2 lb of Italian sausage or ground veal.
Can I use ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese?
Yes, you can use 24 ounces of either cottage cheese or ricotta cheese based on your preference.
How long should the meat sauce simmer?
The meat sauce should simmer on low heat for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to combine.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
The lasagna should be baked in an oven preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How many calories are in a serving of this lasagna?
Each serving contains approximately 380 calories.
What are the total baking times for this recipe?
The lasagna takes 40-60 minutes to bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Should I cover the lasagna with foil while baking?
It is recommended to cover it with foil for the first 40 minutes and then remove the foil for the last 15-20 minutes.
How much protein is provided per serving?
There are 24 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
The fat content is 22 grams per serving.
What are the carbohydrate counts for this dish?
Each serving contains 24 grams of carbohydrates.
How long should the lasagna rest before serving?
You should allow the lasagna to sit for 15-20 minutes after baking to make it easier to cut into squares.
What size baking pan is required?
A 13 x 9-inch baking pan is used for this recipe.
How many lasagna noodles are needed?
The recipe requires 12-15 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions.
What aromatics are added to the meat during browning?
One chopped large onion and 2-3 minced garlic cloves are added to the meat.
Which herbs are used in the meat sauce?
The sauce is flavored with 1 tablespoon each of dried parsley flakes, dried oregano, and dried basil.
How much tomato paste is included in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of tomato paste.
What ingredients make up the cheese mixture?
The cheese mixture consists of cottage or ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, black pepper, parsley, Parmesan, and half of the mozzarella.
How many eggs are used for the filling?
Two beaten eggs are used to help bind the cheese mixture.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed in total?
One pound of shredded mozzarella cheese is used, divided between the filling and the top layer.
How is the lasagna assembled?
Assemble by layering noodles, meat sauce, and then the cheese mixture, repeating until ingredients are used and finishing with a final layer of noodles.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
Use two 14 1/2 ounce cans of whole tomatoes that are undrained and chopped.
What should I do if the sauce becomes too dry while simmering?
You can add a little water to the skillet if the mixture becomes too dry during the hour of simmering.
Is this recipe considered Italian cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged under Italian cuisine and comfort food.
How much Parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
What amount of salt and pepper is used in the sauce?
One teaspoon each of salt and fresh coarse ground black pepper are used in the meat sauce.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 18 distinct ingredients listed for this lasagna recipe.
Can I substitute Italian sausage with something else?
Yes, ground veal is the suggested substitute for Italian sausage.
When should I add the final layer of mozzarella?
The remaining mozzarella cheese should be used to cover the final top layer of noodles completely before baking.
What preparation is needed for the onion?
The onion should be chopped before being browned with the meat.