Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna

Health score
13%
Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna
95 min.
8
977kcal

Suggestions


Welcome to a culinary delight that will surely become a family favorite: Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna! This hearty dish is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to serve something comforting and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. With layers of rich flavors and textures, this lasagna is not just a meal; it's an experience that brings everyone together around the dinner table.

Imagine the aroma of lean ground beef sautéed with finely chopped onions, mingling with the vibrant notes of tomato and basil sauce. As you layer the creamy cottage cheese and ricotta mixture with perfectly cooked lasagna noodles, you create a masterpiece that is both visually appealing and delicious. Topped with a generous sprinkle of melted mozzarella cheese, this dish is a feast for the senses.

What makes this recipe even more enticing is its make-ahead convenience. You can prepare it in advance and freeze it for up to three months, making it an ideal option for meal prep. Simply thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and you’ll have a scrumptious dinner ready to bake and serve. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends, Vanessa's Make-Ahead Beefy Lasagna is sure to impress and satisfy everyone’s cravings. Get ready to dig in!

Ingredients

  • 24 oz cheese curds 4%
  • large eggs lightly beaten
  • 12  lasagne pasta sheets uncooked
  • pound ground beef lean
  • 0.5 cup onion finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup basil pesto refrigerated
  • 16 oz ricotta cheese 
  • teaspoon salt 
  • 10 oz mozzarella cheese shredded divided
  • 48 oz tomato basil sauce 

Equipment

  • frying pan
  • oven
  • baking pan

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 37
  2. Prepare noodles according to package directions.
  3. Meanwhile, stir together cottage cheese and next 4 ingredients. Stir in 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
  4. Cook ground beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce.
  5. Layer 1 cup beef mixture, 3 noodles, and 2 1/2 cups cottage cheese mixture in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles, 2 cups beef mixture, and 3 more noodles. Top with remaining cottage cheese mixture, 3 noodles, and beef mixture.
  6. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese.
  7. Bake, covered, at 375 for 40 to 45 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes or until cheese is browned.
  8. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
  9. Note: Freeze unbaked lasagna up to 3 months. To bake, thaw in refrigerator 24 hours.
  10. Let stand 30 minutes; bake as directed. We tested with Classico Di Napoli Tomato & Basil Pasta Sauce and both LeGrand Garden Pesto and Buitoni Reduced Fat Pesto with Basil.

Nutrition Facts

Calories977kcal
Protein24.23%
Fat53.39%
Carbs22.38%

Properties

Glycemic Index
15.38
Glycemic Load
13.49
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
24.146521563115%

Flavonoids

Isorhamnetin
0.5mg
Kaempferol
0.06mg
Quercetin
2.03mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:977.04kcal
48.85%
Fat:57.07g
87.79%
Saturated Fat:28.02g
175.14%
Carbohydrates:53.82g
17.94%
Net Carbohydrates:46.61g
16.95%
Sugar:14.85g
16.5%
Cholesterol:230.81mg
76.94%
Sodium:1949.95mg
84.78%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:58.27g
116.54%
Calcium:1006.61mg
100.66%
Selenium:54.54µg
77.92%
Phosphorus:434.33mg
43.43%
Vitamin B12:2.38µg
39.7%
Vitamin A:1892.63IU
37.85%
Zinc:5.35mg
35.66%
Fiber:7.21g
28.82%
Potassium:952.53mg
27.22%
Vitamin B2:0.39mg
22.77%
Manganese:0.42mg
21.1%
Iron:3.59mg
19.92%
Vitamin B3:3.95mg
19.73%
Vitamin B6:0.35mg
17.63%
Magnesium:50.57mg
12.64%
Vitamin C:8.9mg
10.79%
Copper:0.19mg
9.7%
Vitamin B5:0.92mg
9.2%
Folate:27.45µg
6.86%
Vitamin B1:0.09mg
5.91%
Vitamin D:0.56µg
3.75%
Vitamin E:0.47mg
3.12%
Vitamin K:1.73µg
1.65%