Get ready to become the culinary hero of your next gathering with this show-stopping Lasagna to Feed a Crowd recipe! Imagine layers of perfectly cooked pasta, rich ground beef, and a decadent blend of three incredible cheeses that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're hosting a family dinner, a potluck, or just craving the ultimate comfort food, this lasagna is guaranteed to transform an ordinary meal into an extraordinary feast that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 1 hrs
Total Time: 1 hrs 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a large 9x13 inch baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or olive oil.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles. Drain excess fat and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- In a separate mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, eggs, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Cook lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Begin layering the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of the baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles to cover the bottom of the dish, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the browned ground beef.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese and drizzle marinara sauce over the beef.
- Repeat the layering process: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining ground beef, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
- Top the final layer with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes covered, then remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.
- Slice into 12 equal portions and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh cheeses and good marinara sauce make a huge difference in flavor.
- Don't skip the resting time! Letting the lasagna sit for 15 minutes after baking helps the layers set and makes cutting much easier.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a layer of sautéed vegetables like spinach or zucchini between the meat and cheese layers.
- If you're short on time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles to simplify the preparation process.
- Make sure to drain the ground beef thoroughly to prevent excess grease in your lasagna.
- For a crispy top, broil the lasagna for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- This recipe freezes beautifully - you can prepare it ahead of time and reheat for an easy meal later.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 550kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 40g
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Cholesterol: 130mg