A comforting and flavorful lasagna casserole with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients:
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a mix)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- For the Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Other Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked (or oven ready noodles)
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Extra parmesan cheese for topping (Optional)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef (or sausage) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using).
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes, or longer for a richer flavor, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Cook the Noodles (if needed):
- If using standard lasagna noodles, cook them according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. If using oven ready noodles, skip this step.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
- Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
- Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta, 1/3 mozzarella, remaining meat sauce.
- Top with the final 3 lasagna noodles, and the remaining Mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese if desired.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown and the lasagna is bubbling.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the layers to set.
Enjoy your Golden Lasagna Casserole!