How to Make Beef & Cheese Lasagna | Food Wishes

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories while providing a similar texture.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while provolone offers a similar melt.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and adds umami, while pecorino is often less expensive.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, and ground pork can be more affordable.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat; add 1 lb ground beef and Italian sausage.

Break the meat into small pieces while it browns.

Roughly chop mushrooms and add them to the browning meat.

Add salt, black pepper, and red chili flakes to the meat mixture.

Increase heat to medium-high and cook until the meat is browned and mushroom liquid evaporates.

Add marinara sauce to the skillet; rinse the jar with water and add that as well.

Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer for about 2 hours, adding water if it gets too thick.

Taste for salt and pepper and set the sauce aside once done.

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 beaten eggs, ricotta cheese, oregano, parmesan cheese, diced fresh mozzarella, salt, pepper, and cayenne; mix well.

Boil 1 box of lasagna noodles in salted water until cooked; drain, rinse, and keep in cold water.

Prepare a 10x15x3 inch deep lasagna pan for assembly.

Divide the meat sauce into four parts, noodles into three parts, and cheese mixture into two parts.

Spread 1/4 of the meat sauce on the bottom of the pan.

Layer 1/3 of the noodles over the sauce; use 6 noodles if there are 18 total.

Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then top with another portion of meat sauce.

Add the second 1/3 of the noodles over the cheese mixture.

Spread the remaining cheese mixture on top of the second layer of noodles, followed by the last portion of meat sauce.

Gently shake the pan to settle the layers and cover with the final 1/3 of noodles.

Spread the last 1/4 of the meat sauce over the top noodles and dot with fresh mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese.

Cover loosely with foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the cheese, and place on a sheet pan.

Bake in a 375°F oven for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for another 30-35 minutes until golden brown and bubbling.

Let the lasagna rest for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens