Description
Dutch Oven Lasagna is a one-pot twist on the classic Italian favorite, layering tender noodles, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese all baked to perfection in a Dutch oven for maximum flavor and convenience.
Ingredients
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with egg, a pinch of salt, and 2 tbsp of the parmesan cheese.
- Remove half of the sauce from the Dutch oven and set aside. Layer noodles (broken to fit), half of the ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and some of the reserved sauce. Repeat layers, ending with sauce, mozzarella, and remaining parmesan.
- Cover with the Dutch oven lid and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Use oven-ready noodles for convenience, or parboil regular ones.Let the lasagna rest before slicing to keep layers intact.Customize with vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.Store-bought marinara can be used instead of homemade sauce.Freezes well—wrap tightly and label before storing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
