Classic Meat Lasagna - My Family's Favorite Lasagna

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories while still providing creaminess.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

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

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner, and ground chicken is often cheaper.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grana padano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while grana padano is a less expensive cheese option.

Prepare the Italian meat sauce separately, as it takes 4 hours to cook; link to full sauce video provided.

For the ricotta filling, use 16 oz of creamy ricotta cheese (2 cups) from the brand Beloso.

Chop 1/4 cup each of fresh basil and fresh parsley; mix into the ricotta.

Add 1 egg to the ricotta mixture to help bind it together.

Grate 2/3 cup of pecorino cheese and mix it into the ricotta for flavor.

Mince 3 garlic cloves and add to the ricotta mixture.

Season the ricotta mixture with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper; stir until combined.

After cooking the lasagna noodles, place them in ice water to prevent sticking while prepping other ingredients.

Prepare a 9x13 ceramic or glass baking dish for layering the lasagna.

Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking.

Shake off excess water from the lasagna noodles and pat dry with paper towels before layering.

Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons of the ricotta mixture on each lasagna noodle, keeping it light.

Add a layer of sauce over the ricotta on each noodle.

Sprinkle freshly grated mozzarella cheese over the sauce, using 1 lb total.

Add 1 1/2 cups of freshly grated parmesan cheese for flavor.

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

Cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens