Easy lasagna without ricotta –Gather around, fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a delicious dish that’s sure to make your taste buds do the cha-cha. Who needs ricotta cheese anyway? Let’s create a lasagna that’s not just a 10/10 on the flavor scale but also a tribute to the art of culinary creativity. Roll up those sleeves, and let’s get cooking!
Ricotta Cheese Lasagna
This lasagna is packed with flavor, simplicity, and love – because let’s face it, love is the secret ingredient in every good recipe… or at least it should be! If you’re ready to wow your friends and family, grab your apron and let’s jump right in!
Ingredients
Here’s what you will need to pull off this glorious creation:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional, but who doesn’t love a splash of green?)
Instructions
Now that we’ve got our ingredients lined up like good little soldiers, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of making this cheesy masterpiece!
- Preheat that oven of yours to 375°F (190°C). If you’re not preheating yet, what are you even doing?
- Boil the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until they are al dente. You want them to have a slight bite to them, just like your favorite pasta-loving relative!
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until browned. Season it with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic powder. Sauté it like you mean it!
- Add the marinara sauce to the cooked meat and let it simmer for a few minutes. This is where the magic happens, folks! Smell that? That’s flavor coming together.
- Grab a baking dish and spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom. Lay three noodles on top, followed by a layer of the meat sauce, then a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese. Repeat this process, creating layers like it’s a very cheesy wedding cake, until all ingredients are used, topping it off with a heavy blanket of mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Once it’s done, let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes. This allows all those yumminess layers to settle down, so they don’t come rushing out like a poorly timed surprise party.
Garnish with fresh basil if you’re feeling fancy, cut into squares, and serve hot. This lasagna is not just a meal; it’s an experience! Enjoy every saucy, cheesy, meaty bite!