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American Lasagna: A Classic Comfort Food

This American Lasagna is a classic comfort food, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. It features layers of tender lasagna noodles, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, all topped with a golden Parmesan crust. Make it ahead for even better flavor, as the spices meld together, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
  • 2 ½ teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 12 dry lasagna noodles
  • 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

  2. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes; drain fat.

  3. Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and oregano. Simmer meat sauce, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes.

  4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels; blot dry.

  6. Mix together ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

  7. Layer 1/3 of the noodles in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture.

  8. Cover the ricotta mixture with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 of the meat sauce.

  9. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and meat sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over the top.

  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

  11. Enjoy!

  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 664 per serving