Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 50 mins | Resting Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins | Servings: 12 slices
Lasagna is one of my family’s ultimate favorites with layers of noodles, meat sauce, and tons of cheese. A comforting, flavor-packed dish that you can easily make at home, any time!
Ingredients
Lasagna:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef, (15-20% fat content)
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 medium onion, finely diced
¼ c. dry red wine, or beef broth
24 ounces Marinara Sauce, (3 c.)
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
½ teaspoon granulated sugar
9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper, ground
Cheese Sauce:
1 large egg
15 ounces of reduced-fat ricotta cheese
16 ounces of low-fat cottage cheese
4 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped, plus more to garnish
How to make Lasagna
Meat Sauce:
Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium/high heat. Then, add 1 pound of ground beef and onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking the meat up as it cooks until the beef is brown. Next, add the garlic and cook for a minute more until aromatic.
Step 2: To the pot, pour in ¼ c of wine. Stir well until the wine is nearly evaporated. Then, add 3 c. Marinara along with half tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, ¼ tsp thyme, half tsp sugar, and 2 tbsp parsley. Bring everything to a simmer. Put the lid on and continue to cook for additional 5 minutes.
Cheese Sauce:
Step 3: Place 16 ounces of Cottage Cheese, 15 ounces of Ricotta, 1 c. Mozzarella, 1 egg, and 2 tablespoons parsley in a large mixing bowl. Mix well until combined.
Lasagna:
Step 4: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 375 degrees F.
Step 5: Into a large pot of salted boiling water, add 9 lasagna noodles and cook following the package directions until al dente.
Step 6: In the bottom of a deep 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, spread a half cup of the meat sauce. Over the meat sauce, lay 3 noodles, then spread ⅓ of the meat sauce on top and sprinkle with 1 c. Mozzarella cheese. On top, spoon and spread half of the cheese.
Step 7: Do the same until you have 3 layers of noodles: 3 noodles, ⅓ meat sauce, 1 c. Mozzarella cheese, and ½ cheese sauce. Then, another 3 noodles, remaining ⅓ meat sauce, and the rest of 1 c. Mozzarella.
Step 8: Over the surface of the lasagna, poke 9 to 12 toothpicks. Tent with foil and place the dish in the preheated oven. Bake the lasagna for about 45 minutes.
Step 9: Uncover and broil the lasagna for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden. Remove from the oven when done, and allow the lasagna to rest for about 30 minutes.
Step 10: Slice and serve. Enjoy!