Description
This creamy, cheesy delight bursts with flavor, perfect for family gatherings or cozy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained (or use no-boil noodles)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Add in the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow this mixture to simmer for about 10-15 minutes, letting the flavors meld beautifully.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: While the sauce simmers, take a mixing bowl and combine the ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), cream cheese, sour cream, large egg, grated Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Layer the Lasagna: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, start with a layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Place three lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the creamy cheese mixture. Repeat this layering process until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a layer of noodles, then topping it off with the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F for 25 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna cool for at least 10-15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to substitute cottage cheese for ricotta if you prefer a lighter option. Fresh herbs can also be added for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
Keywords: lasagna, Italian, comfort food, family meal, cheesy dish