Simple Lasagna

Ingredients

• 1 pound Ground Beef (lean ground beef, 80/20 ratio)
• 24 oz Spaghetti Sauce (store‑bought marinara or meat sauce)
• 1 cup Water (plain tap water)
• 9 pieces Lasagna Noodles (uncooked regular noodles; can use no‑boil noodles)
• 15 oz Ricotta Cheese (full‑fat ricotta, container size)
• 1.25 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (full‑fat shredded mozzarella)
• 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)
• 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped flat‑leaf parsley)
• 1 large Egg (room temperature)
• 1 spray Cooking Spray (non‑stick spray for foil)
• 1 sheet Aluminum Foil (heavy‑duty foil, sprayed with cooking spray)

Instructions

1. Brown Ground Beef

   Heat a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until fully browned, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: medium‑high heat

2. Make Ricotta Filling

   In a mixing bowl combine the 15 oz ricotta, 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup grated Parmesan, ¼ cup chopped parsley, and 1 large egg. Mix until smooth and evenly incorporated.

   Time: PT5M

3. Add Sauce and Water

   Return the drained beef to the skillet. Add the 24 oz jar of spaghetti sauce and 1 cup water (shake the jar first). Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is well combined with the meat.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

4. Assemble Lasagna

   Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 13×9‑inch baking dish. Lay 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top. Spoon one‑third of the ricotta filling over the noodles and spread evenly. Add another 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat the noodle‑filling‑sauce layers two more times, ending with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the rest of the cheese mixture. Top with the remaining 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan. Cover loosely with aluminum foil sprayed with cooking spray.

   Time: PT10M

5. Bake Lasagna

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the covered lasagna for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and bubbling, total baking time 1 hour.

   Time: PT1H

   Temperature: 350°F

6. Rest Before Serving

   Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it stand for 15 minutes before cutting. This allows the layers to set and makes slicing easier.

   Time: PT15M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

230

Protein

15 g

Carbohydrates

20 g

Fat

10 g

Fiber

2 g