Need a doable dish that will impress? This Quick and Easy Lasagna is your answer.
Lasagna, in various forms, has been around for centuries. The ancient Romans enjoyed their version of it, Medieval cooks churned it out for royal banquets, and in more recent times, American cooks have made it one of the most popular homemade meals in this day and age. The version most of us know and love is closest to the lasagna made in southern Italy near Naples.
For such a storied and popular dish, you would think there is a lot of fuss and fanfare to getting it just right. But classic lasagna is really just about layers of food that are good on their own and how those parts bake up into a satisfying, cheesy whole that is impressive and filling. Not rocket science!
Even if you don’t consider yourself a seasoned cook, this Easy Lasagna recipe is one that you can pull off relatively quickly. Three different layers, but the final result is a pan full of delicious pasta, meat, and cheese. The final presentation is almost foolproof, because everything bakes up in the pan and you just dish it up.
The taste is classic Italian: the soft pasta, the creamy cheese layer which is offset by the zesty, meaty tomato sauce.
What other meats can you use in the meat sauce?
If you don’t eat beef, you can substitute (in equal measure) either ground turkey or bulk Italian sausage – mild or spicy.
Serving Suggestions
Break open a bottle of chianti or other red wine, a loaf of crusty bread, and it’s a meal. If you want a fresh, crisp side dish, Baked Bree’s Cucumber and Tomato salad is a perfect contrast to the warm, hearty Easy Lasagna.
How to Store the Lasagna
Easy Lasagna is perfect for meal prep or just making ahead for a big evening. Assemble, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Let set on the counter while you preheat the oven and bake as directed. It can also be frozen after baking (I like to freeze in small portions for easy thawing). After enjoying at your meal, store any leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the microwave.
Quick and Easy Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 Onion finely diced
- 2 cloves Garlic crushed
- 1 pound ground Beef
- 24 oz Marinara Sauce
- 1 tsp Italian Herbs
- Salt and Pepper
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 8 oz Ricotta
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 1 ½ cup Cheddar shredded
- Salt and Pepper
For assembling the lasagna:
- 9 Lasagna sheets
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella shredded
- Small bunch of Fresh Basil
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, then add onion, garlic and ground beef. Cook till beef is browned.
- Add marinara sauce, Italian herbs, and seasoning to the meat. Stir, cover and let it simmer for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ricotta, egg, milk, cheddar, and seasoning in a bowl.
- Assemble lasagna in a 9×13 dish starting with meat sauce, lasagna sheets, and ricotta mix.
- Top with mozzarella cheese, cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for additional 15 minutes. Garnish with basil and serve.
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