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Easy Lasagna Recipe

Easy Lasagna Recipe: Comfort Food for the Whole Family

This Easy Lasagna Recipe is a comforting dish filled with layers of cheese and hearty meat sauce, perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Beef Aim for 15-20% fat content
  • 1 Medium Onion Finely diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 1 cup Dry Red Wine Substitute with beef broth if preferred
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil For sautéing
  • 3 cups Marinara Sauce Flavorful sauce layer
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt Necessary for seasoning
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper Ground for uniform distribution
  • 1 tsp Dried Thyme Fresh can be used as substitute
  • 1 tsp Granulated Sugar Balances acidity of the tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp Parsley Finely chopped
For the Lasagna Layers
  • 12 pieces Lasagna Noodles Cooked al dente
  • 1 cup Low-Fat Cottage Cheese Can substitute with ricotta
  • 1 cup Reduced Fat Ricotta Cheese Enhances texture of cheese mixture
  • 1 large Egg Acts as a binder
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese Shredded for even melting

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • casserole dish
  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for about 5 minutes until beef is no longer pink. Stir in minced garlic, and sauté for another minute.
  2. Pour in dry red wine and cook until mostly evaporated. Add marinara sauce, sea salt, black pepper, dried thyme, granulated sugar, and chopped parsley. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, egg, and chopped parsley. Mix well until smooth.
  4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles as per package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a casserole dish, spread ½ cup of meat sauce on the bottom, layer with 3 noodles, add ⅓ of meat sauce, followed by 1 cup of mozzarella and half of cheese mixture. Repeat until finished with noodles and remaining mozzarella on top.
  6. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, switch to broil for an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
  7. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 15mg

Notes

Allow the lasagna to cool for 30 minutes before slicing to help the layers hold together. Use fresh ingredients for better flavor and feel free to add vegetables like spinach.

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