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American Beauty Lasagna

American Beauty Lasagna Recipe

Emily Wilson
The American Beauty Lasagna recipe is a comforting dish featuring layers of tender pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy ricotta, topped with melted mozzarella. It's designed to be easy to prepare, making it suitable for both novice and experienced cooks.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef for hearty flavor
  • 1 lb Italian sausage adds a spicy kick
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 6 oz cans tomato paste
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp dried basil
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp sugar to balance acidity
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Ricotta Mixture:

  • 16 oz ricotta cheese creamy layers
  • 1 egg binds the mixture
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Assembly:

  • 12 lasagna noodles cooked al dente
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Pro Tip: Prep all ingredients before starting for a smooth stress-free cooking process.

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meat Sauce

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up with a spoon, and cook until browned (8-10 minutes). Add chopped onion and sauté until soft (3 minutes), then stir in minced garlic for 1-2 minutes.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop rich flavors.

Make the Ricotta Mixture

  • In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and Parmesan. Mix well until smooth and creamy — perfect for layering.

Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  • Cook noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to avoid sticking.

Assemble the Lasagna

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer noodles, ricotta mixture, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, and meat sauce. Repeat until ingredients are used up. Finish with mozzarella on top.

Bake the Lasagna

  • Cover with foil (shiny side down). Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly. For a crispy top, broil 2-3 minutes watching carefully.

Rest and Serve

  • Let the lasagna rest 10-15 minutes before slicing for clean layers. Serve warm with garlic bread and a fresh salad.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving)
  • Calories: 480 kcal
  • Fat: 25g
    • Saturated Fat: 12g
    • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Carbs: 35g
    • Fiber: 3g
    • Sugars: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg
  • Sodium: 680mg
  • Calcium: 350mg
  • Iron: 3.5mg
Keyword American Beauty Lasagna, Classic Lasagna Recipe, Comfort Food, Meat Lasagna