Description
A hearty lasagna prepared in a Dutch oven for even cooking and a delicious, home-cooked flavor. Layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella combine for a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8–10 lasagna noodles (pre-cooked or par-boiled)
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg (optional, for binding the ricotta)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic; sauté until soft and fragrant (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add the ground beef or sausage, cooking until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese with the egg (if using) and a pinch of salt.
- Layer the sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan in the Dutch oven. Start with a layer of sauce, then noodles, followed by the cheeses, and repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and cook on low heat on the stovetop for about 45 minutes, or until the noodles are tender and the flavors meld together. If preferred, you can transfer the Dutch oven to a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven (covered) for 25–30 minutes.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider stirring in some chopped fresh basil or spinach into the sauce.
- If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- This recipe can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; just adjust the cooking time if starting cold.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg