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Here's a fantastic recipe, for an easy to make lasagna. It includes a ground beef meat sauce, no cook noodles and cottage cheese for a boost of protein!
Why You'll Fall in Love with This Lasagna Recipe
Delightful; Lasagna has stood the test of time for a reason. With layers of meat sauce, noodles and three types of cheese it's hard not to enjoy every bite. It's simply amazing!
Perfect, for the Whole Family; This cheesy lasagna recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser among all members of your family.
Ideal for Freezing; Whether you choose to bake it or keep it unbaked this pasta dish is freezer friendly. Can be prepared in advance.
Effortless; The use of no boil noodles eliminates the need for pre cooking them. Simply. Let the oven do its magic saving you a step.
Rich in Protein; By substituting the ricotta mixture, with cottage cheese this healthier version of lasagna packs more protein.
Lasagna Ingredients
For the ground beef I recommend using 93% meat.
Dice up half of a onion and mince three cloves of garlic.
As for tomatoes you'll need a 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes from my brand, Tuttorosso. Remember to season the tomatoes with salt.
To make things more convenient opt for oven lasagna noodles like Barillas. They eliminate the need for steps in this lasagna recipe.
Eggs play a role in binding the cheese mixture within the lasagna so that it stays intact when baked. For the cheese mixture itself I suggest using a quality part skim cottage cheese like Good Culture to add some protein.
Incorporate some part skim shredded mozzarella into the filling mixture and save some to sprinkle on top for that irresistible cheesy goodness. Additionally you'll need a quarter cup of Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese.
To add a touch of freshness chop up some parsley. Mix it into the cheese mixture. You can also use it as garnish on top before serving!
Enjoy your classic lasagna, with this to follow recipe!
How to Make The Best Lasagna Recipe
Here's a step, by step guide on making the lasagna recipe;
1. Prepare the Tomato Sauce; In a skillet or pot cook ground beef, onion and garlic over high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Then add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to your taste. Cover the pan. Let it simmer on heat for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
2. Create the Cheese Mixture; Take a mixing bowl. Beat the eggs in it. Then add cottage cheese half a cup of mozzarella cheese Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley to the bowl.
3. Layering the Lasagna; Start by spreading one cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 13x9 inch casserole dish. Place four lasagna noodles on top of the sauce followed by one third of the cheese mixture and another cup of sauce. Repeat this layering process more. Finally pour the remaining sauce over everything. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
4. Baking Time; Bake your lasagna for one hour. To ensure cooking of noodles tightly cover your baking dish, with aluminum foil to create steam during baking. After 55 to 60 minutes of baking time or until pasta is fully cooked through uncover it for a five minutes to lightly brown all that cheesy goodness.
5. Serving; Once baked to perfection garnish your lasagna with parsley before allowing it to rest for five minutes. This resting period will help set flavors before you cut it into eight mouth watering pieces.
Enjoy your lasagna!
Variations
There are ways to make lasagna more delicious. One option is to use ricotta cheese while another's to try cottage cheese. Both choices work well. If you're looking for a protein boost cottage cheese is the way to go. If you prefer ricotta you can easily substitute it in. Make a ricotta cheese mixture instead.
In terms of substitutions you can replace Pecorino with parmesan for a flavor profile. If you're not a fan of ground beef Italian sausage makes for an alternative. Adding meatballs can also be an idea. Whether you choose turkey or beef ones.
For those seeking protein options lean ground turkey can be used of beef in your lasagna recipe.. If you're opting for a vegetarian version simply leave out the beef. Consider adding some thawed frozen spinach or sautéed diced zucchini as an alternative.
If gluten is an issue, for you don't worry! There are gluten noodle options that will work perfectly for your lasagna.
Lastly if you have an egg allergy or prefer not to include eggs in your dish feel free to skip them. The cheesy filling might be slightly runnier, without them. It will still taste delicious!
When it comes to herbs parsley can easily be swapped out with basil for some added flavor variation.
Enjoy experimenting with these variations. Find the combination that suits your taste buds!
What to Serve with Lasagna
To complement this homemade lasagna recipe you can enjoy it with some baked bread, garlic bread or garlic knots. You can also pair it with an salad or some delicious roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Another option is to try Cacio e Pepe Brussels Sprouts for a twist.
How to Meal Prep Lasagna
For meal prepping you can assemble the lasagna in a casserole dish cover it tightly with foil and refrigerate it overnight. When you're ready to serve simply follow the baking instructions provided.
Freezing Unbaked Lasagna
If you want to freeze the lasagna before baking make sure to cover the baking dish, with both plastic wrap and foil. It can be frozen for up to three months. When you're ready to cook it thaw the lasagna in the refrigerator. Then bake according to the instructions provided. Alternatively if you prefer convenience and want to bake it from frozen allow 90 minutes of baking time until heated through (just remember to remove the plastic wrap first!).
Handling Leftovers
Leftover cooked lasagna can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you have more than needed or want to save it for later freezing is an option too! To thaw lasagna leftovers, simply place them in the refrigerator overnight. Then warm them up either by microwaving or, by baking until they are heated through.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
- 1/2 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounce can of Tuttorosso Green Label crushed tomatoes. They are my go to choice, for delicious tomato flavor.
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles, such as Barilla or gluten-free noodles
- 24 ounces part-skim cottage cheese, from 1 1/2 16-ounce containers, Good Culture (or use ricotta cheese)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat a skillet until its hot then add the ground beef, onion and garlic. Cook over heat using a wooden spoon to break up the meat until there is no pink color left.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and season, with salt and black pepper according to your taste. Cover the skillet. Let it simmer over heat for 20 minutes stirring it three times.
- In a mixing bowl beat the eggs. Mix them with 1 1/2 containers of cottage cheese 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese Pecorino Romano cheese and parsley. Set this mixture aside.
- Using a 13 x 9 casserole dish spread one cup of sauce on the bottom. Layer in this order; four uncooked lasagna noodles (its alright if they overlap) followed by one third of the cheese mixture and one cup of sauce.
- Repeat this layering process using four lasagna noodles, another one third of the cheese mixture and one cup of sauce. For the layer add all remaining sauce. Finish with one cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover tightly with foil. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes until the pasta is thoroughly cooked.
- Uncover it. Continue baking until all of the cheese turns browned. Approximately five minutes.
- Garnish, with parsley. Let it sit for five minutes before cutting into portions.Cut the object into 8 sections.
Notes
- If you prefer you can use ricotta cheese of the ricotta cheese mixture, in amounts.
- Of Pecorino you can substitute it with parmesan cheese.
- of ground beef Italian sausage can be used as an alternative.
- To add variety you can include turkey meatballs or beef in your lasagna.
- For an option lean ground turkey can be substituted for beef.
- If you want to make a vegetarian lasagna omit the beef. Add thawed spinach or sautéed diced zucchini instead.
- If you're following a diet use gluten free noodles for your lasagna.
- If there is an egg allergy concern it's possible to skip the egg. Please note that the cheese filling may end up runnier but will still taste delicious!
- To change up the flavors a bit fresh basil can be swapped in place of parsley.
Nutrition
- Serving size; 1/8th
- Calories; 394
- Carbohydrates; 36.5 g
- Protein; 37 g
- Fat; 11.5 g
- Saturated Fat; 5.5 g
- Cholesterol; 107.5 mg
- Sodium; 840 mg
- Fiber; 3.5 g
- Sugar; 7 g
