LASAGNA WITH GROUND BEEF BEST

I still remember the aroma that would fill my grandma’s kitchen every Sunday – a symphony of garlic, oregano, and simmering tomato sauce, all hinting at the masterpiece she was creating: Lasagna With Ground Beef. That hearty, comforting dish was the centerpiece of our family gatherings, and now I’m going to share all her secrets with you so you can create your own unforgettable lasagna moments. Prepare to roll up your sleeves and embark on a culinary adventure; the most delicious, crowd-pleasing lasagna of your life is just around the corner!

Let’s Talk Lasagna: Your Ultimate Guide to Ground Beef Perfection

Lasagna. The very name conjures images of bubbling cheese, rich sauce, and layers upon layers of deliciousness. But let’s be honest, the thought of making it from scratch can sometimes feel a little… daunting. Fear not, my friend! This guide is designed to break down the process, step-by-step, so you can confidently create a High Protein Lasagna Soup worthy of a standing ovation.

Why Ground Beef Lasagna?

Okay, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s quickly address why ground beef is such a fantastic choice for lasagna. First, it’s readily available and budget-friendly. Second, it adds a wonderful savory depth that complements the other ingredients beautifully. And third, it’s incredibly versatile. We can adjust the richness by using lean or regular ground beef based on your preference.

The Essential Ingredients: Building Blocks of Flavor

Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients you’ll need for your Lasagna With Ground Beef:

• Ground Beef: The star of the show! I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for optimal flavor and moisture, but lean ground beef works perfectly well if you prefer a healthier option.
• Lasagna Noodles: You can use regular lasagna noodles, oven-ready noodles, or even gluten-free options. Oven-ready noodles are a great time-saver, but I personally love the texture of traditional noodles.
• Tomato Sauce: A good quality tomato sauce is crucial. Look for one that’s rich and flavorful. You can also use crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to create your own sauce from scratch.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy, tangy ricotta is a must for that classic lasagna texture. Whole milk ricotta is my preference, but part-skim works too.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Lots and lots of mozzarella! Shredded mozzarella provides that gooey, melty goodness we all crave.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sprinkle of grated Parmesan adds a salty, nutty flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Eggs: These act as a binder for the ricotta cheese mixture, helping it hold its shape.
• Onion and Garlic: The aromatic base of our sauce. Don’t skimp on these!
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that adds that classic Italian flavor.
• Salt, Pepper, and Sugar: Seasoning is key! A pinch of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
• Fresh Basil and Parsley: These add a touch of freshness and vibrancy to the final dish.

Step-by-Step: Creating Lasagna Magic

Alright, let’s get cooking! Here’s a detailed guide to making the perfect Lasagna With Ground Beef:

Step 1: Preparing the Meat Sauce

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease. This is important! Nobody likes a greasy lasagna.
2. Sauté the Aromatics: Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. The aroma should be intoxicating at this point!
3. Add the Tomato Sauce: Pour in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes (if using), and tomato paste. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
4. Simmer the Sauce: Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. My grandma always said, “The sauce is the soul of the lasagna!”

Step 2: Preparing the Ricotta Cheese Mixture

1. Combine the Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

Step 3: Cooking the Lasagna Noodles (If Necessary)

If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, cook them according to the package directions. Be careful not to overcook them, as they’ll continue to cook in the oven. I like to slightly undercook them so they have a bit of bite.

Step 4: Assembling the Lasagna

This is where the magic happens! Get ready to layer your way to deliciousness.

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread Sauce on the Bottom: Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking and adds a layer of flavor.
3. Layer the Noodles: Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom of the dish.
4. Add Ricotta Cheese Mixture: Spread about one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
5. Sprinkle with Mozzarella: Sprinkle about one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture.
6. Add More Sauce: Spoon another layer of tomato sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
7. Repeat Layers: Repeat layers of noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Final Touch: Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Step 5: Baking the Lasagna

1. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
2. Uncover and Bake: Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through. The top should be golden brown and irresistible.
3. Let it Rest: Let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to slice. Trust me, this step is crucial!

Tips and Tricks for Lasagna Success

Here are a few extra tips to help you achieve lasagna perfection:

• Don’t Overcook the Noodles: If you’re using regular lasagna noodles, be sure not to overcook them. They should be slightly undercooked, as they’ll continue to cook in the oven.
• Don’t Skimp on the Sauce: A generous amount of sauce is key to a moist and flavorful lasagna.
• Use Good Quality Cheese: The quality of your cheese will greatly impact the flavor of your lasagna. Opt for good quality mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan.
• Let it Rest: As mentioned before, letting the lasagna rest before cutting is crucial. This allows the layers to set and prevents it from falling apart.
• Customize to Your Liking: Feel free to add other vegetables to your sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. You can also experiment with different cheeses.
• Make it Ahead: Lasagna is a great dish to make ahead of time. You can assemble it a day or two in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Freezing Lasagna: Lasagna freezes beautifully! You can freeze it before or after baking. To freeze before baking, assemble the lasagna according to the instructions, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. To freeze after baking, let the lasagna cool completely, then cut it into individual portions and wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Variations and Twists: Lasagna Your Way

The beauty of lasagna is its versatility. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique masterpiece. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace the ground beef with vegetables such as mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers.
• Chicken Lasagna: Use cooked chicken instead of ground beef. Shredded rotisserie chicken works great!
• Sausage Lasagna: Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef. You can use sweet or spicy sausage, depending on your preference.
• Buffalo Chicken Lasagna: For a spicy kick, try making a buffalo chicken lasagna with shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, and a creamy ranch dressing.
• White Lasagna: Skip the tomato sauce and use a creamy béchamel sauce instead. Add spinach and mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian option.
• Consider a White Lasagna with a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone for an extra cheesy experience.

Serving Suggestions: Completing the Meal

Lasagna is a complete meal on its own, but it’s always nice to have a few side dishes to complement it. Here are a few of my favorite serving suggestions:

• Garlic Bread: A classic pairing!
• Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lasagna.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts are a healthy and delicious side dish.
• Wine: A glass of Chianti or other Italian red wine pairs perfectly with lasagna.

Troubleshooting: Common Lasagna Problems and Solutions

Even the most experienced cooks can run into occasional problems when making lasagna. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Lasagna is Too Watery: This is usually caused by using too much sauce or not draining the ricotta cheese properly. Make sure to drain any excess liquid from the ricotta cheese before using it. You can also add a tablespoon or two of cornstarch to the sauce to help thicken it.
• Lasagna is Dry: This is usually caused by not using enough sauce or overbaking the lasagna. Make sure to use a generous amount of sauce and cover the lasagna with foil during the first part of baking to prevent it from drying out.
• Lasagna is Falling Apart: This is usually caused by not letting the lasagna rest before cutting it. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
• Noodles are Too Crunchy: This can happen if you don’t use enough sauce to cover the noodles, or if they weren’t fully cooked before assembly. Make sure the sauce adequately coats the noodles, and consider slightly undercooking regular noodles before layering.

Other Delicious Italian-Inspired Dishes

If you’re in the mood for more Italian comfort food, be sure to check out these other delicious recipes:

• Crockpot Ravioli Lasagna: A simple and delicious twist on lasagna, perfect for busy weeknights.
• Crockpot Lasagna Soup: All the flavors of lasagna in a comforting soup!

Final Thoughts: Lasagna Confidence Achieved

Congratulations! You’ve now mastered the art of making Lasagna With Ground Beef. With a little practice and these tips, you’ll be creating lasagna masterpieces that will impress your family and friends for years to come. Remember, the most important ingredient is love, so pour your heart into it and enjoy the process. Happy cooking!

Lasagna with Ground Beef

This classic lasagna recipe features layers of rich ground beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella cheese, all baked to bubbly perfection. It’s a comforting and crowd-pleasing dish perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, offering a hearty and satisfying meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 45 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Servings: 8

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 550

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound ground beef 80/20 recommended
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces tomato sauce
• 15 ounces crushed tomatoes optional
• 6 ounces tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 15 lasagna noodles regular or oven-ready
• 30 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish optional

Equipment

• Large skillet or Dutch oven
• Medium bowl
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Aluminum foil
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife
• Cutting board
• Spoon
• Grater

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes (if using), and tomato paste. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar.
5. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. If using regular lasagna noodles, cook them according to the package directions. Be careful not to overcook them.
7. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.
8. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
9. Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping them slightly to cover the bottom of the dish.
10. Spread about one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
11. Sprinkle about one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture.
12. Spoon another layer of tomato sauce over the mozzarella cheese.
13. Repeat layers of noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.
14. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.
15. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
16. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
17. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.

Notes

For a richer flavor, use 80/20 ground beef. To save time, use oven-ready lasagna noodles. Lasagna can be assembled a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Lasagna freezes well either before or after baking. For best results, drain any excess liquid from the ricotta cheese before using it. Add other vegetables to your sauce, such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini. Let it rest before serving.