We love a good taco Tuesday. And who doesn’t enjoy Friday pizza nights? We’re sure, though, nothing compares to a pasta party any day of the week! Easy Cheesy Lasagna brings the fun, the flavor, and the fulfillment. It’s all the things you desire and admire from the classic Italian dish: tender, bouncy lasagna noodles dancing in a river of tangy, creamy tomato-y red sauce and juicy, crumbled beef. And as the name suggests, you can bet that there is plenty of melty, gooey cheese to go around for the whole crowd. Be careful, because after you experience the pleasure and delight of Easy Cheesy Lasagna, you might just deem every night a pasta party night. Pop the confetti! Here’s to making dinner time an experience not a chore!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, coarsely chopped
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (8-ounce) package lasagna noodles
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup ricotta or small curd cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3-4 slices mozzarella cheese, halved diagonally
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Lightly grease a 12x8x2-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –Cook the lasagna noodles to al dente according to the package directions. Drain.
Step 4 –While the pasta is cooking, in a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil.
Step 5 –Add the ground beef to the oil and cook, while crumbling, until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess drippings.
Step 6 –Stir the tomatoes, the tomato paste, the salt, the Italian seasoning, the pepper, the crushed red pepper, and the garlic into the cooked beef.
Step 7 –Bring the beef mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Step 8 –Simmer the meat mixture, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.
Step 9 –Place 1/2 of the cooked noodles in the prepared baking dish.
Step 10 –Spoon 1/3 of the meat mixture on top of the noodles.
Step 11 –Cover the meat mixture with 1/2 of the mozzarella, then 1/2 the ricotta, and 1/2 of the parmesan cheese.
Step 12 –Repeat the layers once ending with the remaining meat mixture.
Step 13 –Arrange the mozzarella slices on top of the meat mixture.
Step 14 –Bake until bubbly and the cheese is golden, about 30 minutes.
Step 15 –Serve.
