American Lasagna Recipe
This American Lasagna Recipe layers seasoned ground beef, ricotta, mozzarella, and a rich tomato sauce for a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish.
8 Servings
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 29-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 6-ounce cans tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt divided
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- For the Pasta:
- 12 dry lasagna noodles
For the Ricotta Mixture:
- 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Cheese Layers:
- 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the onion and garlic until the meat is browned and the onions are translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, basil, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and oregano. Stir to combine and simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 30–45 minutes to develop a rich flavor.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, approximately 8 minutes. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean towel, patting them dry to prevent sticking.
Mix the Ricotta Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix until fully incorporated and set aside.
Preheat the Oven and Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer 1/3 of the lasagna noodles on the bottom of the dish. Spread ½ of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle ½ of the shredded mozzarella cheese on top. Spoon 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella layer.
- Repeat the layers, finishing with the remaining lasagna noodles and meat sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer for added flavor.
Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Rest and Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after removing it from the oven. This helps the layers set, making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the traditional lasagna noodles with gluten-free lasagna noodles. Ensure that all other ingredients, such as tomato paste and Parmesan cheese, are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.