Pioneer Woman Classic Lasagna Recipe

Introduction

This classic lasagna recipe from the Pioneer Woman is a hearty, comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles come together for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each)
• 2 cans tomato paste (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• Fresh parsley, to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until evenly browned. Drain any excess fat.
3. Step 3: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Step 4: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sugar, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese until thoroughly mixed.
6. Step 6: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the base of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce.
7. Step 7: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with one-third of the meat sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
8. Step 8: Repeat the layering with noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Finish with a final layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
9. Step 9: Evenly distribute the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the lasagna.
10. Step 10: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and golden.
11. Step 11: Let the lasagna cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, brown the sausage with some chopped bell peppers or mushrooms before adding the sauce.
• Use fresh lasagna noodles and skip boiling for a quicker assembly if you adjust baking time accordingly.
• Substitute half the ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner version.
• Add a pinch of red pepper flakes into the sauce for a mild spicy kick.
• Top with fresh basil instead of parsley for a different herb aroma.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Lasagna also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire lasagna and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows the flavors to meld and can make dinner prep easier.

Do I have to cook the noodles before assembling?

This recipe calls for cooked noodles, but if using no-boil noodles, be sure to use a bit more sauce to keep the lasagna moist while baking.

Pioneer Woman Classic Lasagna Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 82 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Classic Lasagna recipe from Pioneer Woman combines rich layers of seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage, savory tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners, this hearty Italian-American comfort food delivers a satisfying blend of flavors and textures in every bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 ounces each)
• 2 cans tomato paste (6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cheese Mixture

• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Other

• 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• Fresh parsley, to taste (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to start warming up while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Brown Meats: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the browned meat in the skillet. Cook until the onion turns translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Simmer Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, granulated sugar, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.
5. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated.
6. Layer Noodles and Fillings: Spread a thin layer of the prepared meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place 4 cooked lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce.
7. Assemble First Layers: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Spoon a third of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese, then sprinkle some shredded mozzarella on top.
8. Continue Layering: Repeat the layering process: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Finish with a final layer of noodles and the last of the meat sauce.
9. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the lasagna, ensuring good coverage for a cheesy crust.
10. Bake Lasagna: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 25 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbling and golden brown.
11. Rest and Garnish: Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

• For best results, cook and slightly undercook lasagna noodles so they finish cooking in the sauce and cheese mixture during baking.
• Let the lasagna rest before serving to allow it to set, which makes slicing cleaner and easier.
• You can prepare the meat sauce and cheese mixture a day ahead for convenience.
• Substitute Italian sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner version.
• Fresh parsley adds a nice color and fresh taste but is optional.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: lasagna, Italian recipe, classic lasagna, Pioneer Woman, baked pasta, comfort food