LASAGNA Recipe | Dinner Ideas #cooking

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

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

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino

Nutritional yeast offers a cheesy flavor with fewer calories, while Pecorino is often less costly.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while ricotta can be more affordable.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: beef broth

Non-alcoholic wine offers flavor without alcohol, and broth is a budget-friendly substitute.

Start by cooking 1 pound of lean ground beef in a heavy bottom pot.

Chop and mince 1 medium carrot, 1 large celery stick, 1 small onion, and 2 cloves of garlic.

Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pot and then add the chopped onion, carrot, and celery with a pinch of salt; sauté until softened and translucent.

Add the minced garlic and sauté, being careful not to burn it.

Push the vegetables to the side and add the ground beef, breaking it apart; season with salt, cracked black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

Add 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to the beef and cook until browned, scraping the bottom of the pot to create fond.

Pour in 24 ounces of marinara sauce and add 1 cup of water; shake the marinara jar to get all the sauce out and stir to combine.

Cover the pot and let the sauce simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes.

In a separate pan, melt 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, then add flour and cook for about a minute to create a roux.

Slowly whisk in 1 to 2 cups of whole milk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon; season with a pinch of salt and grated nutmeg.

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Prepare oven-ready lasagna noodles, placing three sheets at the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.

Ladle some meat sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and drizzle with béchamel sauce.

Add a layer of broken pieces of fresh mozzarella cheese.

Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella on top.

Spray aluminum foil with cooking oil and cover the lasagna, then place it in the oven.

Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

Let the lasagna set for 20 to 25 minutes before cutting into it and serving, garnished with parsley.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens