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Turn basic ingredients into a cozy comfort meal with this stacked lasagna. Each mouthful gives you a perfect mix of rich meat sauce, a trio of cheeses, and soft pasta. This crowd-pleasing dish tastes way better than what you'd get dining out, making it great for fancy dinners or regular weekly meals.
After trying loads of versions, I found mixing cottage cheese with ricotta creates the dreamiest texture while keeping things lighter than using just ricotta by itself.
Key Ingredients
Ground beef makes the sauce filling and satisfying
Onions and garlic create amazing background flavors
Red wine makes the sauce taste complex
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Triple cheese mix gives you the best mouthfeel
Slightly firm noodles keep everything together
Herbs bring everything to life
Cooking Steps
Cook the meat with onions and garlic till they smell amazing.
Mix up all the cheeses with an egg so they stick together well.
Boil the pasta until it's just a bit firm.
Start building with a thin layer of sauce on the bottom.
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Use toothpicks when covering with foil.
Bake with foil on first, then without for a golden top.
I've learned over time that getting the layers right and letting it rest before serving means you'll get perfect slices every time.
Tasty Pairings
Make a full Italian meal by adding Caesar salad and some garlic bread. For dinner guests, serve it with fresh tomato and mozzarella salad plus some focaccia. When it's just family night, a simple green salad and regular bread work great too.
Easy Changes
Switch things up based on what you like. Try using half Italian sausage with your beef for extra kick, or skip the wine and use beef broth instead. Want something lighter? Go for lean beef or throw in more veggies with your meat sauce for added goodness.
Keeping It Fresh
Your lasagna will stay good in the fridge for about three days. Want to save it longer? Wrap it up tight and freeze it before or after cooking for up to three months. When you're ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge first, then warm it up at 350°F with the cover on until it's hot all through.
Plan Ahead
This dish works great made in advance. You can put it all together up to two days before you need to cook it and keep it covered in the fridge. One super busy week, I made this ahead and our family had awesome dinners for days without much work.
Kid Approved
Great for families on the go, this lasagna heats up so well for quick dinners. You can even pack it in a thermos for kids' school lunches so they get a warm, homemade meal they'll actually eat.
Chef Secrets
Stick toothpicks in before adding foil so cheese won't get pulled off
Keep moving those noodles around while they cook so they don't clump up
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Wait half an hour after baking before cutting for neat portions
This lasagna started as just a weeknight dinner but grew into our favorite family meal. Just remember, good lasagna needs time and care, but you'll end up with a warm, filling dinner that brings everyone together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prep early?
- Yes, make it up to a day ahead and chill unbaked.
- → What kind of beef works best?
- Choose one with 15–20% fat for great taste.
- → Why use toothpicks?
- They stop the foil from sticking to the melted cheese.
- → Is resting time really needed?
- Yes, it’ll help the layers stay in place when you slice.
- → Can extras be frozen?
- Yep, keep them wrapped well, and they’ll last 3 months.