Hearty Homemade Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting a mouthwatering easy beef lasagna recipe doesn’t require culinary magic.

Layered comfort awaits with minimal kitchen stress.

Pasta sheets nestle between rich, savory meat sauce that promises deep satisfaction.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Each bite tells a story of simple yet robust flavors.

Cheese melts into golden perfection, promising a meal that connects you with traditional Italian comfort.

Let’s unlock this delectable journey together and make dinner something special.

Easy Beef Lasagna Reheats Perfectly Like This

• Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, preserving quality for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, covering with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bake at 350°F (175°C) covered with foil for 30-40 minutes until heated through completely.

Ideal Matches for Easy Beef Lasagna

• Pair Robust Red Wine: Complement the rich, meaty lasagna with a full-bodied Italian red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the lasagna's creamy cheese and enhances its savory beef flavors.
• Create Fresh Green Salad: Balance the hearty lasagna with a crisp arugula salad dressed in light lemon vinaigrette, adding brightness and cutting through the dish's richness while providing a refreshing contrast.
• Serve Garlic Bread: Add a crusty, toasted garlic bread alongside the lasagna to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture that perfectly complements the soft, layered pasta dish.
• Choose Italian Herb Focaccia: Select a fragrant, herb-infused focaccia bread that mirrors the oregano in the lasagna, offering an additional layer of Mediterranean flavor and a delightful side to the main course.

Beef Lasagna Variants

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based alternatives like lentils, mushrooms, or crumbled tofu for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Gluten-Free Comfort: Swap traditional lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta sheets or use thinly sliced zucchini as a low-carb noodle replacement.
• Low-Fat Option: Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, ground turkey instead of beef, and add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for added nutrition.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute dairy cheeses with cashew ricotta, nutritional yeast, and plant-based mozzarella to create a creamy, lactose-free lasagna that still delivers rich flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes, ground turkey is a great lean alternative that works perfectly in this lasagna recipe. Just make sure to brown it thoroughly and season well.

• Is it okay to use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Absolutely! No-boil noodles can save time and work great in this recipe. Just adjust the liquid slightly to ensure they cook properly.

• How do I prevent my lasagna from being watery?

To avoid excess liquid, drain the ground beef after cooking, use a thick marinara sauce, and let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes after baking to allow it to set.

• Can I prepare this lasagna ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking straight from the refrigerator.

Easy Beef Lasagna With Cheesy Layered Goodness

• Comfort Food Champion: A hearty lasagna that delivers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen stress, perfect for satisfying hungry families.
• Weeknight Warrior Meal: Requires just 30 minutes of active preparation time, making it an ideal solution for busy home cooks seeking delicious, no-fuss dinner options.
• Crowd-Pleasing Classic: Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles create a universally loved dish that appeals to both kids and adults, ensuring clean plates and happy faces around the dinner table.
• Meal Prep Marvel: Easily prepared in advance and reheats beautifully, allowing you to enjoy delicious leftovers or freeze portions for future quick and satisfying meals.

All That Goes Into Easy Beef Lasagna

• Ground Beef: Rich and savory base for the meat sauce, choose lean beef for less grease.
• Onion: Sweet and aromatic flavor enhancer, fresh is best for maximum taste.

• Dried Oregano: Classic Italian herb that adds depth and authentic flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall dish flavors, adjust to personal taste.
• Marinara Sauce: Tangy base that brings moisture and traditional tomato profile, store-bought or homemade works well.
• Water: Helps create proper sauce consistency and ensures even pasta cooking.

• Ricotta Cheese, Eggs: Creamy layer with structural binding, full-fat ricotta recommended for richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty and nutty undertones, freshly grated provides superior flavor.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates gooey, melty topping that provides classic lasagna texture.

• Lasagna Noodles: Structural foundation of the dish, no-boil or traditional noodles can be used.

Making Easy Beef Lasagna

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F and get ready for a delicious cooking adventure.

Step 2: Brown The Meat And Onions

Grab a large skillet and start sizzling your ground beef with diced onions over medium heat.

Cook until the beef turns a beautiful golden brown and the onions become soft and translucent.

Step 3: Create A Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Marinara sauce
• Water

Let the sauce simmer and bubble for 10 minutes, developing deep, rich flavors.

Step 4: Prepare The Creamy Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Eggs
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Step 5: Build The First Layer

Spread a generous layer of meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.

Step 6: Create The First Noodle Layer

Arrange 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.

• ⅓ of the ricotta mixture
• ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese

Step 7: Repeat The Layering

Continue building layers twice more, finishing with a beautiful top layer of mozzarella cheese.

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Then remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes until the cheese turns bubbly and develops a golden-brown crust.

Step 9: Let It Rest

Allow the lasagna to sit and settle for 15 minutes before serving.

This helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.

Pro Advice for Easy Beef Lasagna

• Drain excess fat from ground beef to keep the sauce thick and rich, ensuring a perfect texture in every bite.
• Toast dried oregano in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding to the meat sauce, releasing more intense aromatic flavors.
• Use no-boil lasagna noodles to save time and reduce kitchen prep, creating a perfectly layered dish without extra steps.
• Let mozzarella cheese come to room temperature before adding to the lasagna, helping it melt more evenly and create a creamy texture.
• Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making dinner preparation a breeze.

Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian “Easy Beef Lasagna” brings layers of rich comfort straight from Mediterranean kitchens to dinner tables. Melted cheese, savory ground beef, and silky pasta sheets unite for a classic meal that welcomes friends around the table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
• 24 ounces (680 g) marinara sauce
• 1 cup water

Cheese and Binding Ingredients:

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Pasta:

• 12 lasagna noodles

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature of 375°F (190°C), preparing for a delectable layered Italian-inspired casserole.
2. In a spacious skillet, transform raw ground beef and finely chopped onions over medium heat, browning the meat thoroughly and softening the aromatic vegetables.
3. Elevate the skillet’s flavor profile by introducing dried oregano, essential seasoning, salt, and pepper, then cascade marinara sauce and water into the mixture, allowing it to simmer and meld for approximately 10 minutes.
4. Craft a creamy binding mixture by whisking ricotta cheese with eggs and grated Parmesan cheese until achieving a smooth, homogeneous consistency.
5. Create a foundational layer of meat sauce across the bottom of a rectangular baking vessel, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Carefully arrange lasagna noodles across the sauce, creating a precise first structural layer of the dish.
7. Generously distribute one-third of the ricotta blend over the noodles, followed by an even spread of mozzarella cheese, establishing the first intricate layer.
8. Methodically replicate the layering process two additional times, strategically building depth and complexity, with the final layer showcasing a generous blanket of mozzarella.
9. Envelop the baking dish with aluminum foil, protecting the developing flavors during initial baking.
10. Bake covered for 25 minutes, then unveil and continue baking until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
11. Allow the lasagna to rest and stabilize for quarter of an hour, permitting the layers to set and intensify before serving.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce overall fat content while maintaining rich flavor.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular lasagna noodles with zucchini slices or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
• Consider adding finely chopped vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to boost nutritional value and enhance the meat sauce’s complexity.
• Prepare lasagna ahead of time by assembling and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which allows flavors to meld and makes meal preparation more convenient.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg