From-the-Freezer Meaty Lasagna
Often Repeated. Great large batch at once to make meals that are simple to toss in the oven on future dates
Often Repeated. Great large batch at once to make meals that are simple to toss in the oven on future dates
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
- 1 onion chopped fine
- 1/4 teaspoon salt salt
- 1 1/2 tbs olive oil olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes red pepper flakes
- 1/2 pound ground beef chuck 85 percent lean
- 1/2 pound ground pork i use all beef
- 1 teaspoon salt salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream heavy cream
- 1 can 28 ounces tomato puree
- 1 can diced tomatoes 28 ounces
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil chopped fresh basil
- ricotta mozzarella and pasta layers
- 1 3/4 cups whole-milk ricotta whole-milk ricotta
- 1 1/4 cups grated parmesan cheese grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper ground black pepper
- 12 no-boil lasagna noodles from one 8-
- or 9-ounce package i use tinkyada rice noodles
- 5 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- Carbohydrate 37.3085713375207 g
- Cholesterol 497.850218620336 mg
- Fat 35.9436873988579 g
- Fiber 0.453184728198581 g
- Protein 43.5680219878176 g
- Saturated Fat 16.2287896647792 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (325g)
- Sodium 404.122053266461 mg
- Sugar 36.8553866093221 g
- Trans Fat 4.23688386087519 g
- Calories 652 calories
Step-by-step
- For the sauce: Heat oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high, add ground meats, salt, and pepper, and cook, breaking meat into small pieces, until meat is no longer pink but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add cream and simmer until liquid evaporates and only fat remains, about 4 minutes. Stir in tomato puree, diced tomatoes, and basil and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer until flavors blend, about 3 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cool sauce for 20 minutes, then refrigerate until cool, at least 20 minutes.
- For the pasta layers: Mix ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, basil, eggs, salt, and pepper in bowl. Spread 1/4 cup meat sauce over bottom of 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Place 3 noodles crosswise on top of sauce, evenly space 9 tablespoons ricotta mixture over noodles, and sprinkle evenly with 1 1/4 cups mozzarella; spoon 1 1/2 cups sauce over cheese. Repeat layering of noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and sauce two more times. Place 3 remaining noodles on top and spread with remaining sauce. Cover with remaining 1 1/4 cups mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Spray large sheet of aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray and tightly cover lasagna. Wrap with plastic wrap several times and cover with another layer of foil. Freeze.
- When ready to serve: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove all wrapping except foil layer that is flush against lasagna. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, then remove foil. Continue baking until cheese is spotty brown and sauce is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Let lasagna cool for 15 minutes. Serve.
From-the-Freezer Meaty Lasagna: A Busy Woman's Best Friend
Let's be honest, ladies. Life is hectic. Between work deadlines, carpools, school projects, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, finding time to cook a wholesome, delicious meal can feel like climbing Mount Everest in stilettos. That's why this recipe for From-the-Freezer Meaty Lasagna has become my absolute lifesaver. It's the ultimate time-saving meal prep solution for busy women, and honestly, even for those less-busy but equally-hungry members of my family. Forget takeout; this lasagna is way tastier, far healthier, and so much more satisfying.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its efficiency. I spend a couple of hours on a Sunday (or any day when I have a little extra time), making a big batch of this delicious lasagna. I carefully assemble the layers – the rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta – then I freeze it. Then, poof! I have a delicious, comforting meal ready for those days when time is of the essence. It's akin to having a personal chef who works nights and weekends – completely silently and only for the good of my family.
Why this lasagna is perfect for the modern woman:
- Makes a huge batch: One pan equals multiple meals. Enough to feed the whole family and leave enough to pack for lunch all week.
- Freezes beautifully: This is the key to its magic. Make it ahead of time, and it’s ready whenever you are. It’s not weird to eat a freezer meal even on Friday night!
- Deliciously comforting: It brings a taste of home, even on the most stressful days. This lasagna hits all the right spots: meaty, cheesy, saucy, and comforting.
- Easily customizable: Feel free to swap out ingredients based on your preferences or dietary restrictions. Use turkey instead of beef, add different veggies, or experiment with different cheeses.
- Impressive without the effort: It looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, when in reality, most of that time was spent prepping in advance.
I used to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of creating a healthy, delicious, and home-cooked dinner each night. It’s tough. But this lasagna changed all of that. No more last-minute scrambles for takeout menus or settling for unhealthy processed meals. Now, I can focus on all the other important things in my life, knowing that a delicious, hearty dinner awaits, ready to be popped into the oven when the time comes. Seriously, give it a try. You'll be thankful you did.
This is more than just a recipe; it’s a strategy. It’s my secret weapon for juggling life’s many demands and still enjoying the small joys, like a warm, comforting lasagna on a busy Tuesday night. The best part? The clean-up is a breeze. One pan means one pan to clean. This, friends, is the true definition of a win-win-win situation.
So, ladies, ditch the takeout menus and embrace the power of meal prepping. Trust me, your future self – and your family – will thank you. This lasagna isn't just a dish; it's an investment in your time, your sanity, and your well-being. And it tastes amazing to boot!
