How to Cook Beefy Lasagna
Beefy lasagna is a comforting, layered dish of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy white sauce, and melted cheese that creates a perfect harmony of flavors in every bite.
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Total Time45 minutes mins
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Filipino/American/Italian
Keyword: beefy lasagna, beefy pasta, lasagna
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 435kcal
Author: Manny
For the pasta:
- 6 cups water
- 3 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp. salt
- 1 box double lasagna noodles extra wide
For the meat sauce:
- 1 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1 head garlic crushed
- 2 pcs onions chopped
- 1 kilo ground round beef
- black pepper to taste
- 4 Tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. sugar
- 1/2 Tbsp. rock salt
- pinch oregano
- 5 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
For the white sauce:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 box cottage cheese
- 1 can cream of mushrooms
- 2 cans all-purpose full cream
- grated cheese
Boil water with salt and oil. Cook the pasta until al dente.
Remove from heat and drain. Set aside.
To make the white sauce: In the a pan, melt butter. Pour in cottage cheese.
Stir until cottage cheese melts. Add cream of mushroom soup.
Mix all ingredients thoroughly then add cream. Set aside.
To make the meat sauce: In a pan, heat oil and saute garlic and onions until soft.
Add meat, black pepper, soy sauce, sugar, salt, and oregano. Cook for 5 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and water. Cook until meat is tender.
Arrange your pasta in pyrex dish. Pour meat sauce, white sauce and grated cheese.
Repeat the layering of the pasta, sauce and cheese until you fill up the dish.
Top with grated cheese. Bake in an oven for about 15 to 20 minutes at 350 °F. Serve hot.
Cooking Tips:
Cook the Pasta Until Al Dente
When boiling the pasta, make sure to cook it until it's al dente, which means it should still have a slight bite. Overcooking the noodles can result in a mushy lasagna once it's baked, so aim for slightly firm pasta that will absorb just the right amount of sauce. This helps maintain the structure of each layer while keeping the dish from becoming too soft.
Let the Lasagna Rest Before Slicing
It’s tempting to dive in right after it comes out of the oven, but letting the lasagna rest for about 10 to 15 minutes makes a big difference. This cooling period allows the layers to settle and firm up, making it easier to cut clean, even slices without the sauces running out. Plus, it helps the flavors meld together for a more cohesive and delicious bite.
Use a Combination of Cheeses for Depth of Flavor
While grated cheese is a must for the topping, consider blending different cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan for added flavor. Mozzarella melts beautifully and gives that gooey texture, while cheddar adds sharpness and parmesan delivers a salty kick. This combination enhances the richness of the dish and gives each bite a more complex taste.