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Joyful Classic Beef Lasagna

Joyful Classic Beef Lasagna That Warms the Heart

A beautiful, heartfelt dish perfect for family gatherings, this Joyful Classic Beef Lasagna combines tender noodles, hearty meat sauce, and creamy textures.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound Ground Beef lean preferred
  • 0.5 pound Italian Sausage optional substitute with turkey
  • 1 medium Onion chopped, yellow preferred
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes whole canned recommended
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 0.5 cup Water or use broth
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
For the Lasagna Layers
  • 9-12 noodles Lasagna Noodles traditional or no-boil
  • 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese drained
  • 1 large Egg optional for vegetarian version
  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded, fresh preferred
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese grated
For the Béchamel Sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Butter or olive oil
  • 0.25 cup All-Purpose Flour can use gluten-free
  • 2 cups Milk whole milk preferred
  • 1 pinch Nutmeg optional

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • medium saucepan
  • 9x13-inch Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a large pot, brown ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until cooked through.
  2. Drain excess fat, then add onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute.
  4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture.
  5. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook on low for at least 1 hour.
  6. Meanwhile, bring salted water to a boil, add lasagna noodles and cook for about 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  7. Drain cooked noodles and lay them flat to prevent sticking.
  8. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and salt and pepper, mixing until smooth.
  9. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour, cook for 2 minutes.
  10. Slowly add milk, whisking until thickened, then season with salt and nutmeg.
  11. In a baking dish, layer meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella, repeating the layers.
  12. Finish with béchamel sauce on top.
  13. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for an additional 25 minutes.
  14. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 850mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Strain ricotta before mixing for best results. Allow flavors to deepen by simmering the sauce appropriately. Store leftovers properly to maintain quality.

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