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American Beauty Lasagna Recipe

Sara Collins
The American Beauty Lasagna Recipe is a classic comfort meal. It is rich, cheesy and full of flavor. Many families love this dish for weekend dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 6
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Instructions
 

Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean surface.

Cook the Ground Beef

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir often and break the meat into small pieces.

Add the Sauce

  • Pour marinara sauce into the cooked beef. Add garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for about five minutes.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture

  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

Preheat the Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.

Start the First Layer

  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles over the sauce.

Add Cheese Layer

  • Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Add some mozzarella cheese and a spoonful of meat sauce.

Repeat the Layers

  • Add another layer of noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat until all ingredients are used.

Add the Final Cheese

  • Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. This creates a golden and bubbly crust when baked.

Bake the Lasagna

  • Place the dish in the oven and bake for 40–45 minutes. The cheese should melt and turn slightly golden.

Rest Before Serving

  • Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for ten minutes. This helps the layers hold together when slicing.

Serve and Enjoy

  • Slice the lasagna into squares. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy your homemade meal.

Notes

  • Cook noodles al dente so they stay firm in layers.
  • Let the lasagna rest before cutting.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for richer flavor.
  • Do not overload layers with too much sauce.
  • Cover with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Keyword American Beauty Lasagna Recipe