THE EASIEST MEAT LASAGNA

THE EASIEST MEAT LASAGNA

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups diced celery
½ cup diced red onion
2 pounds ground beef
15 ounces tomato sauce (no sugar added)
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

CHEESE FILLING

15 ounces ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
½ teaspoon minced fresh garlic
2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper

PREPARATION:

1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium.

2 Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain off the excess fat with a spoon or turkey baster.

3 Add the tomato sauce, garlic, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 2 more minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat.

4 Mix the ingredients for the cheese filling together in a bowl, using only half of the mozzarella.

5 Fill the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish with the meat filling and top with the cheese filling.

6 Cover the top with the remaining 8 ounces of mozzarella cheese.

7 Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, until the top starts to become golden and bubbly.

8 Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing (the lasagna will hold together better).