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Savory lasagna for two served with fresh ingredients and layers of flavor.

Lasagna for Two

A delightful twist on the traditional Italian classic, this lasagna features layers of tender noodles, flavorful beef, and creamy ricotta filling, perfect for cozy meals.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 490
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Noodles
  • 3-6 pieces uncooked lasagna noodles (preferably no-boil) Use no-boil noodles for convenience or traditional noodles soaked in salted water.
Meat Mixture
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil For sautéing.
  • 1/2 pound ground beef Juicy and savory.
  • 1/2 cup diced onion White or yellow onion preferred.
  • 1 piece carrot, diced Adds subtle sweetness and texture.
  • 1 clove garlic, minced For irresistible aroma.
  • 2 1/4 cups spaghetti sauce Your favorite sauce.
Cheese Filling
  • 1 cup full-fat ricotta cheese Creamy and luxurious.
  • 1 piece egg Room temperature.
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Melty and gooey.
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese Nutty and sharp.
  • 2 tablespoons chopped basil Fresh and fragrant.
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt Enhances all flavors.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9x5 loaf pan.
  2. If using no-boil lasagna noodles, there’s no need to cook them. If using traditional noodles, bring salted water to a boil and cook for 5-8 minutes until al dente, then drain and cool.
Cooking the Meat Mixture
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add vegetable oil. When hot, toss in ground beef, diced onion, and carrot with a generous pinch of salt. Cook until meat is browned, about 5-8 minutes.
  2. Drain excess grease, add garlic, and cook for an additional minute. Stir in 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce, bring to simmer, then remove from heat.
Cheese Mixture
  1. In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, basil, and salt to create the filling.
Assembling the Lasagna
  1. Spread 1/4 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of the loaf pan.
  2. Layer 1-2 noodles over the sauce to cover the base. Trim noodles if necessary.
  3. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the meat mixture.
  4. Layer on another set of noodles, then repeat with remaining ricotta and meat mixtures.
  5. For the top layer, cover with remaining noodles and spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Baking
  1. Cover the pan tightly with foil. Bake for 20 minutes if using traditional noodles, or 30 minutes if using no-boil noodles. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
  2. Let sit for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil.

Notes

For richer flavor, add Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper to the meat mixture. You can sneak in vegetables like spinach or zucchini in the layers. For easier cleanup, line the loaf pan with parchment paper.