Description
Creamy one pot lasagna pasta delivers Italian comfort in a simplified, streamlined dish. Home cooks can quickly craft this hearty meal with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz/800 g) crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken or beef broth
- 8 oz (225 g) uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup (250 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Meat Transformation: Sear ground beef or sausage in a large pot over medium heat, breaking into crumbly pieces. Drain excess fat to maintain a clean flavor profile.
- Aromatic Base: Sauté chopped onions until translucent, then blend in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Allow the ingredients to release their intricate fragrances and meld together.
- Sauce Creation: Integrate crushed tomatoes, broth, and tomato paste into the meat mixture. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to develop rich, complex flavors and achieve a harmonious consistency.
- Pasta Integration: Submerge broken pasta sheets directly into the simmering sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even cooking. The pasta will absorb the flavorful liquid and become perfectly tender.
- Cheese Finale: Strategically dollop ricotta across the pasta’s surface. Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan, creating a molten cheese layer. Cover briefly to allow the cheese to melt into a luxurious, golden topping.
- Serving Flourish: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately. Complement the dish with a crisp salad or rustic garlic bread to complete this innovative one-pot culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose Lean Meat: Select ground beef with lower fat content (85/15 or 90/10) to reduce excess grease and create a cleaner, more concentrated flavor profile in the dish.
- Prevent Pasta Sticking: Break lasagna noodles into similar-sized pieces and stir frequently during cooking to avoid clumping and ensure even sauce absorption.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust red pepper flakes carefully to match personal heat preferences; start with a small pinch and gradually increase for desired intensity.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cheese to melt naturally by covering the pot briefly, creating a perfect golden-brown top without overcooking or burning the surface.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg