Description
Creamy Hamburger Helper Lasagna brings classic Italian-American comfort to your dinner table with minimal effort. Cheesy layers of pasta, ground beef, and rich sauce create a quick, satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound ground beef
Pasta and Sauce:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1 (24-ounce / 680 grams) jar marinara sauce
- 1 (15-ounce / 425 grams) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) beef broth
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious pot over medium-high heat, allowing it to shimmer and spread evenly.
- Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into crumbly pieces and searing until rich golden-brown edges develop and no pink remains.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
- Pour marinara sauce, beef broth, and crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture, then season with Italian herbs, salt, and cracked black pepper.
- Fragment lasagna noodles directly into the liquid, ensuring they are submerged and distributed evenly throughout the sauce.
- Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, cover the pot, and allow noodles to soften and absorb flavors for approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Fold creamy ricotta cheese into the mixture, creating a luxurious and velvety texture.
- Generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface, then cover and let cheese melt completely until bubbling and golden.
- Remove from heat, let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow sauce to slightly thicken.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley for a vibrant finishing touch, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Substitute ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter protein option that maintains great flavor.
- Break lasagna noodles into smaller, uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the meal.
- Add a splash of red wine to the sauce for deeper, more complex flavor that enhances the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg