American Lasagna

4.7
(2,733)

Making this lasagna recipe a day ahead and refrigerating overnight allows the spices to meld and gives it exceptional flavor.

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super close up on a messy slice of American lasagna, garnished with some basil.
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Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr
Additional Time:
10 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 40 mins
Servings:
8
Yield:
1 9x13-inch dish
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste

  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

  • 2 ½ teaspoons salt, divided

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 12 dry lasagna noodles

  • 1 pint part-skim ricotta cheese

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley

  • 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    all ingredients gathered to make American lasagna.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Cook and stir ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes; drain fat.

    ground beef, onion and garlic cooking in a skillet.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Mix in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, basil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and oregano. Simmer meat sauce, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 45 minutes.

    diced tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, basil, salt and oregano added to the skillet and simmering.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

  5. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Lay noodles flat on towels; blot dry.

    noodles cooked until tender yet firm, then placed on a towel to blot dry.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Mix together ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

    ricotta, parmesan, eggs, parsley and salt mixed together in a bowl.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Layer 1/3 of the noodles in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cover with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture.

    1/3 of the noddles placed in the baking dish, topped with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  8. Cover the ricotta mixture with 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 of the meat sauce.

    1/2 mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the meat sauce layered over the ricotta mixture.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  9. Repeat. Top with remaining noodles and meat sauce. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over the top.

    remaining noodles and meat sauce placed on top and topped with Parmesan cheese.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

    lasagna finished baking in the oven.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  11. Enjoy!

    super close up on a messy slice of American lasagna, garnished with some basil.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Recipe Tip

If lasagna has been refrigerated, bake it in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Editor's Note:

The Video Team found that baking the lasagna covered with aluminum foil for 1 hour, then uncovering and baking for 20 more minutes, produced the best result.

3,181 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

664 Calories
30g Fat
48g Carbs
51g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 664
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 30g 38%
Saturated Fat 15g 76%
Cholesterol 168mg 56%
Sodium 1900mg 83%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 51g 102%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Calcium 759mg 58%
Iron 6mg 32%
Potassium 872mg 19%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.