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hearty beef lasagna

Hearty Beef Lasagna

This hearty beef lasagna is rich and comforting, layered with a savory meat sauce, creamy Pecorino-spiked filling, and plenty of gooey mozzarella. Bold with garlic, herbs, and just a touch of heat, each bite is satisfying and full of flavor.
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Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

Lasagna & Cheeses:

  • Vegetable oil spray
  • 16 curly-edged lasagna noodles rounded for practicality
  • 1 tablespoon salt for boiling pasta
  • 11 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded (about 2¾ cups)
  • ¼ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • Meat Sauce:

Meat Sauce:

  • 2 slices hearty white sandwich bread torn
  • 3 tablespoons milk slightly increased for better panade texture
  • 1½ pounds 90% lean ground beef
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves minced (slightly reduced for balance)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

Cream Sauce:

  • 8 ounces 1 cup cottage cheese
  • 4 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese grated (about 1¾ cups)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook noodles until al dente. Spray and set aside.
  • Mash bread and milk. Mix in beef, salt, and pepper. Sauté onion, garlic, oregano, and red pepper. Brown beef mixture. Add tomatoes and simmer.
  • Whisk cream sauce ingredients together.
  • Layer noodles, meat sauce, cream sauce, and mozzarella in a 13×9 dish. Repeat layers, ending with noodles, cream sauce, mozzarella, and Pecorino.
  • Cover with greased foil. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 25 to 30 minutes until spotty brown.
  • Cool for 30 minutes before slicing.