How to Make the Best Hearty Beef Lasagna

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories, while cream cheese provides a similar texture.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork often costs less.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while provolone is often less expensive.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while pecorino is a budget-friendly cheese option.

Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil; add 1 tablespoon of salt and lasagna noodles; cook for 6-8 minutes until al dente.

Tear 2 slices of hearty white sandwich bread into pieces; mix with 1/4 cup milk to form a paste.

In a bowl, combine 1.5 pounds of ground beef, the bread paste, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; mix well with hands.

In a pot, heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat; add 1 chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add 6 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the beef mixture to the pot; cook until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.

Stir in 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes; bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, combine 1 cup cottage cheese, 4 ounces grated pecorino romano, 1 cup heavy cream, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; whisk until smooth.

Spray a rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil spray; layer 3 lasagna noodles on the bottom.

Spread 1.5 cups of meat sauce over the noodles; dollop with 1/2 cup of white sauce and sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.

Repeat layering with remaining ingredients for a total of 4 layers, alternating noodle placement for stability.

Top the final layer with the remaining white sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens