Lasagna is one of our family favorites and loved by every single member of the family. It's also budget friendly which makes me happy! I've used this recipe for years. It's easy, reliable, and results in about 8 thick, firm pieces of lasagna. The recipe is very easy and forgiving.
My ingredients list is (prices are from our Walmart in Central Pennsylvania):
12 oz. box of Oven Ready Lasagna Noodles ($1.68) (make sure to get oven ready noodles!)
1 lb. Grass Fed 90% Ground Beef ($5.98)
3 Free Range Eggs ($1.06)
2 - 14.5 oz. cans Italian Diced Tomatoes ($0.92)
6 oz. can Tomato Paste ($0.42)
28 oz. can Crushed Tomatoes ($1.12)
32 oz. Ricotta Cheese ($3.12)
16 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese ($2.56)
2 tbsp Minced Garlic
1 tbsp Dried Chopped Onion
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp Oregano
1 tbsp Basil (I added $1.00 for all of the seasonings)
$17.86 total/8 servings = $2.23 per serving
9 x 13 baking pan
1 ~ Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2 ~ Brown the ground beef in a frying pan
3 ~ While the ground beef is browning, put the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried chopped onion, italian seasoning, and oregano in a large pot
4 ~ Add the browned ground beef
5 ~ Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat then lower the heat to simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally
6 ~ While the sauce is simmering, mix the ricotta cheese, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, and basil in a large bowl, mixing together thoroughly
7 ~ Spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of the 9 x 13 baking pan, using about 1/5 of the sauce
8 ~ Place 3 uncooked noodles, side by side, on top of the sauce
9 ~ Spread about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles
10 ~ Spread a layer of sauce over the cheese mixture, using about 1/5 of the sauce
11 ~ Place 3 uncooked noodles, side by side, on top of the sauce
12 ~ Spread about 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles
13 ~ Spread a layer of sauce over the cheese mixture, using about 1/5 of the sauce
14 ~ Place 3 uncooked noodles, side by side, on top of the sauce
15 ~ Spread the remainder of the cheese mixture on top of the noodles
16 ~ Spread a layer of sauce over the cheese mixture, using about 1/5 of the sauce
17 ~ Place 3 uncooked noodles, side by side, on top of the sauce
18 ~ Spread the remainder of the sauce on top of the noodles
19 ~ Sprinkle the 2nd half of the shredded mozzarella on top of the sauce
20 ~ Cover the pan with multiple layers of aluminum foil, making sure to use long enough pieces that allow you to create a tent over the lasagna
21 ~ Place the pan on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet with sides so that any sauce that cooks out won't end up on the bottom of your oven
22 ~ Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes then remove the aluminum foil
23 ~ Cook under the broiler, uncovered, until the cheese starts to brown. Keep a close eye on it. The broiler can burn your cheese very quickly
24 ~ When the cheese is brown, pull the lasagna out of the oven and let it sit, undisturbed, for about 15 minutes
25 ~ Slice and enjoy :)
