No-Cook Lasagna: A Delightful Dinner with Minimal Prep
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Description:
Imagine a lasagna that’s ready to delight your guests without the hassle of pre-cooking ingredients. This No-Cook Lasagna recipe is a masterpiece of convenience and taste, with rich layers of savory sauce and melted cheese, leaving your guests raving about its flavors. My version of this classic dish ensures there’s always plenty of sauce and cheese, which are often the first to run out. For a taste that bursts with authenticity, I recommend using Prego sauce infused with Italian sausage, or you can brown some Italian sausage along with the ground beef for an extra depth of flavor. This tried-and-true recipe is perfect for Bridge night or any gathering where you want a comforting, hearty meal with minimal fuss.
Recipe Category: < 4 Hours
Keywords: Easy, No-Cook Lasagna, Comfort Food
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 cups water
- 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus 1 cup for topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 6 sheets of dry lasagna noodles
Instructions:
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Preheat Oven: Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s ready to bake your lasagna to perfection.
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Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large 5-quart saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it’s nicely browned. Once browned, drain the excess fat to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
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Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the spaghetti sauce and water. Stir well to combine everything. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Mix the Cheese Filling: While the sauce is simmering, take a large bowl and combine the ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, eggs, dried parsley, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until you have a smooth cheese mixture.
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Assemble the Lasagna: Pour a generous 1 cup of the prepared meat sauce into the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly. Place a single layer of dry lasagna noodles over the sauce, making sure they are slightly overlapping.
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Layer the Cheese Mixture: Spread about half of the cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Follow this by covering the cheese layer with another generous 1 cup of meat sauce.
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Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process: add another layer of dry noodles, spread with sauce, then the remaining cheese mixture. Top this with a final layer of lasagna noodles and pour over the remaining sauce.
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Add the Final Touches: Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. This will create a deliciously gooey, cheesy crust.
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Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top begins to turn a golden brown and bubbly.
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Cool and Serve: Once baked, allow the lasagna to stand for about 10 minutes before cutting into squares. This resting period helps the layers set and makes it easier to serve.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 562.4
- Fat Content: 31.4 g
- Saturated Fat Content: 15.4 g
- Cholesterol Content: 158.3 mg
- Sodium Content: 1210.4 mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 33.2 g
- Fiber Content: 1.3 g
- Sugar Content: 12.2 g
- Protein Content: 35.4 g
Servings: 8
Tips:
- If you prefer a spicier lasagna, consider adding red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or a pinch of hot Italian seasoning.
- For a vegetarian twist, you can substitute the ground beef with a mixture of sautéed vegetables or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Make sure to let the lasagna rest before cutting to avoid it falling apart when serving.
This No-Cook Lasagna is sure to be a hit at your next gathering, providing a delicious and hearty meal with minimal prep and cooking time. Enjoy the ease of preparation and the satisfaction of a classic Italian dish that tastes like it’s been made with love and care. 🍝💖
