Easy lasagna? Does that sound like an oxymoron? That’s how I always felt but when I realized how quickly my family would down lasagna after a late night soccer practice, I decided to figure it out. See, when my kids have to eat dinner late, I like to pick an option I know they love to encourage a speedy devouring of the meal to scoot them along to showers and bed at a respectable speed and this easy lasagna does the trick!
Easy lasagna requires a few worthy shortcuts. First, no boil lasagna noodles, obviously. Second, your favorite marinara sauce. Third, buy the pre-grated Parmesan.
It also helps to have a designated lasagna pan, which is deep enough to perfectly accommodate all the layers. I used to make it in a 9×13 Pyrex and while that will work, the depth of a lasagna pan makes a difference.
The method is simple: brown meat, add garlic, add sauce, simmer. Meanwhile beat eggs and then in the same bowl ass the cheeses, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Then layer: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture two times, then the top layer is noodles, sauce, and a sprinkle of remaining mozzarella. Bake at 350, covered, for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then you’re ready to dig in!
I hope you and your family enjoy this easy lasagna as much as we do; if you make it, please let me know!
Description
This easy lasagna is great for Sunday night dinner, to bring to a friend, or to have ready and waiting for the kids after soccer practice. It’s simple, hearty, and delicious: a new family favorite.
1 lb beef
1/2 lb sausage
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
48 ounces (2 jars) marinara sauce
2 eggs
15 ounces ricotta
1/2 c grated Parmesan
1.5 c shredded Mozzarella
1 Tbsp dried parsley
salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large skillet, brown meat. After about 5 minutes, add the minced garlic and saute for another minute or two. Add the marinara to the skillet and bring to a simmer for about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile beat eggs. Then in the same bowl add the cheeses, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
To assemble, put a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of your lasagna pan. Add a layer of noodles, followed by a layer of half the cheese mixture and sauce. Repeat another layer of noodles, the other half of the cheese mixture, and sauce. Then for the top layer, place the noodles then sauce, and a sprinkle of remaining mozzarella.
Bake at 350, covered, for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake 15 more. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes and then you’re ready to dig in!
