Pioneer Woman Lasagna

My strongest belief in the universe — besides the importance of good cheese — is that lasagna deserves its own national holiday. Seriously, if Thanksgiving can get all the love for turkey, why can’t we throw a parade in honor of this cheesy, saucy masterpiece? Now, I totally understand that it’s a little bold to declare such a strong opinion (oh, who am I kidding? Welcome to my chaotic world!), but every time I pull a piping-hot tray of Pioneer Woman Lasagna out from the oven, my life feels just a little more illuminated. I mean, cheesy layers of goodness with just enough sauce to make you swoon? Yes, please and thank you!

Thanksgiving Lasagna Disaster

Speaking of swooning, let me take you back to the Great Thanksgiving Lasagna Disaster of 2020. Picture this: a house filled with my family, excitement buzzing in the air, and me—shielding myself from a lasagna that was attempting a hostile takeover of my oven. I had decided, in a fit of hubris (as one does when they’re knee-deep in Pinterest recipes), to make my first-ever homemade lasagna. And, my friends, let’s just say it was an experience that would make one cringe. I misread a crucial step and instead of simmering my sauce, I ended up boiling it like I was preparing for a strange tomato soup. 😳

Fast-forward to 2 AM, standing in a sea of red sauce and parmesan shrapnel, I decided maybe Thanksgiving wasn’t the best time to explore my culinary skills. But, hey, staples of the Midwest are built on hope and lasagna, right? Now, I laugh about it (but only a little) because the memory is so visceral—warming my heart like the smell of herbs wafting through the kitchen.

Back to the wonderfully delightful lasagna

ANYWAY, before I dive into another abyss of self-pitying tragedy… let’s talk about this wonderfully delightful lasagna. You might think, “Oh Emily, how complicated could lasagna really be?” Well friends, it might seem like layers of dreamy nostalgia and melted cheese, but trust me—it can slice through your culinary ego faster than you can say “What’s for dinner?”

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here’s what you’ll need to channel your inner Pioneer Woman:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 oz each)
• 2 cans tomato paste (6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons sugar (because life is sweet!)
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• To taste fresh parsley (optional, for garnishing)

Now, if you’re thinking about where to grab these ingredients, might I suggest hitting up Trader Joe’s? They have this magical cheddar cheese that might just elevate your lasagna to heavenly levels. (Not sponsored but, TJ’s, hit me up if you want to! 😉)

Measure Your Cooking Success

The Step By Step

Let’s really talk technique, shall we? I made a bold promise when I said it can be chaotic, so buckle up! You begin this masterpiece by preheating your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Then, in a large skillet, it’s time to introduce your ground beef and Italian sausage. You want them to brown together, almost like bickering siblings at a family reunion—just let those flavors mingle! Don’t skimp on draining the excess fat (trust me, you don’t want your lasagna swimming).

As the meats flirt over heat, toss in the onion and garlic, allowing them to dance until the onions go all translucent and aromatic—like a good soap opera. Then you’ll stir in those glorious crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper… and let it simmer for 30 glorious minutes. This is where the magic happens, and you’re going to want to occasionally stir, otherwise, it’ll become a tomato fortress of solitude.

Now comes the time to whisk together your ricotta, egg, 2 cups of mozzarella, and half the Parmesan in a separate bowl—like crafting a potion of epic proportions. Once the sauce is bubbling and your cheese mixture is whispering sweet coos of delight, it’s layering time! Start with a layer of sauce in your baking dish, then flatly lay down four noodles like you’re creating a cheesy tile mural. Now, spread half of the ricotta mixture, sprinkle a third of the meat sauce, and some mozzarella, and repeat until all the ingredients are layered like a cheesy, glorious brick wall of love! Don’t forget to finish with a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan like confetti! 🎉

How do I feel about cooking

Well, it’s not just about feeding the body; it’s about feeding the soul. Each time I slather sauce or layer on noodles, I’m pouring love into every bite, mingling memories of family gatherings where laughter and lasagna filled the air. Cooking is my way of holding onto moments—the comforting embrace of my mother and the sounds of kids arguing over who gets the biggest piece.

Short and sweet anecdote:

One year I attempted to impress my crush with some homemade garlic bread (flippin’ garlic bread, I mean really, who thinks of that as a “fancy” date?). It turned into a crusty hockey puck that could’ve doubled as a doorstop. Spoiler alert: the date didn’t work out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Okay, I’ll stop talking now. This recipe… just trust me, your taste buds will be grateful! A slice of this lasagna, and you’ll want to throw a parade! 🥳 And hey, if nothing else, you’ll have a delicious disaster story for the books. By the way, if you’re questioning how much of this glorious cheesy goodness you can enjoy daily, check this out.

Calculate Your Daily Dairy Needs

Pioneer Woman Lasagna

Delicious layers of meat, cheese, and sauce that make for the ultimate comfort food.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes (28 oz each)
• 2 cans tomato paste (6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons sugar to balance acidity
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Mixture

• 1 pound ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided

Lasagna Assembly

• 12 pieces lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• to taste fresh parsley, for garnishing optional

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage together and drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, basil, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 30 minutes.

Cheese Mixture

1. In a bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups of mozzarella, and half the Parmesan until well mixed.

Assembly

1. Start with a layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish.
2. Lay down four lasagna noodles flat, then spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
3. Add a third of the meat sauce and some mozzarella on top.
4. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan.

Baking

1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Notes

For best results, let the lasagna sit for about 15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set evenly.