Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our homemade meatball lasagna, a culinary masterpiece that combines two Italian classics into one irresistible dish. This lasagna features layers of tender, flavorful meatballs, savory marinara sauce, velvety béchamel sauce, and sheets of pasta, all baked to golden perfection. Each bite offers a symphony of textures and flavors, from the juicy meatballs to the tangy sauce and the creamy béchamel. Whether you're hosting a special occasion or simply craving a hearty, satisfying meal, this meatball lasagna is sure to impress.
This article provides three variations of this classic dish to cater to diverse preferences and dietary restrictions. The traditional meatball lasagna uses a combination of beef and pork for the meatballs, while the chicken meatball lasagna offers a lighter alternative with ground chicken. For a vegetarian option, the veggie meatball lasagna swaps the meat for a mixture of vegetables, beans, and lentils. Each recipe includes step-by-step instructions, a comprehensive ingredient list, and helpful tips to ensure your lasagna turns out perfectly.
So, gather your loved ones around the table and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the flavors of Italy. With our homemade meatball lasagna recipes, you'll create a dish that will become a family favorite for generations to come.
MEATBALL LASAGNA
This delicious, saucy lasagna is packed with tasty meatballs that you can make ahead!
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 9h40m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix pasta sauce and tomatoes. Reserve 1/2 cup tomato mixture. Stir meatballs and stir-fry vegetables into remaining tomato mixture.
- In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg and basil.
- Spoon reserved 1/2 cup tomato mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 4 noodles. Top with about half of the ricotta mixture and half of the meatball mixture. Layer with remaining 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese and remaining meatball mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; cover baking dish with foil. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
- Heat oven to 350°F. Bake covered lasagna 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 15 to 20 minutes longer or until bubbly, edges are golden brown and cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 540, Carbohydrate 48 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 3 g, Protein 32 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1260 mg, Sugar 13 g, TransFat 1/2 g
SAUSAGE MEATBALL LASAGNA
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 3h30m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Make the meatballs: Mix the sausage and parsley in a bowl with your hands until combined. Dampen your hands and form the meat into 3/4-inch balls (you should have about 40). Heat the olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook, turning, until browned, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon.
- Reduce the heat to medium high and add the soppressata, onion, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and basil and cook, stirring, 3 minutes. Stir in the wine, tomato puree and 3 cups water. Reduce the heat to medium low and return the meatballs to the pot. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, 1 hour, 20 minutes.
- Prepare the lasagna: Whisk the ricotta, eggs and parmesan in a medium bowl. Fill a large bowl with hot water. Working in batches, soak the noodles until just pliable, about 5 minutes. Lay out on a clean kitchen towel and pat dry.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter the bottom and sides of a deep 10-by-13-inch baking dish. Lay 6 noodles in the bottom of the dish so they go partway up the sides and overlap slightly. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then top with half of the meatballs and 1 1/2 cups sauce. Sprinkle with half each of the mozzarella and pecorino. Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta mixture, meatballs, sauce, mozzarella and pecorino). Top with the remaining 6 noodles and cover with the remaining sauce.
- Tightly cover the dish with foil and bake until bubbly, about 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until browned, about 15 more minutes. Let stand 20 minutes before serving.
GRANDMA GUARNASCHELLI'S LASAGNA WITH MINI BEEF MEATBALLS
I did not grow up with an Italian grandmother who was always around the house cooking. I saw her only on special occasions--but then she would cook everything under the sun. Even as a kid, I was so impressed that she went to such painstaking trouble to roll and brown little meatballs and layer them throughout her lasagna. It's worth it. When making classic lasagna bolognese, the ground beef and tomato meander beautifully together, but there is something about getting a bite of beef in a little meatball and then the separate sensation of the tomato sauce that makes the flavors pop even more.
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- Make the sauce: In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and season with 1 tablespoon salt. Stir in the red pepper flakes and sugar, and cook for about 2 minutes. Then add the tomatoes, with their juices, and the oregano. Cook for a few minutes over high heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning, add the basil leaves, and remove from the heat.
- Make the meatballs: Put the beef and veal in a large bowl and spread the meat all over the bottom of the bowl and up the sides a little. (This will help you to distribute the seasonings evenly through the meat.) Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons salt. Then sprinkle the bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and parsley all over the meat and use your hands to mix the ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and garlic. Drizzle the egg mixture over the meat. Mix the meat thoroughly with your hands.
- Test a meatball: Form 1 small meatball (about 1 inch in diameter) with your hands. Heat a splash of the canola oil in a small skillet over high heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the meatball, lower the heat, and cook it over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Taste for seasoning and texture. If it seems too wet, add some more bread crumbs to the mixture in the bowl. If it is too dry, add a splash of water. Adjust the seasoning of the mixture in the bowl as needed. Roll the remaining meat into balls; you should have about 40 very small meatballs.
- Cook the meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add half of the remaining canola oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, remove the pan from the heat and add half of the meatballs in a single layer, spreading them apart somewhat so they have a chance to brown instead of steaming. Return the pan to high heat and brown the meatballs, turning them so they brown all around, until medium-rare, 2 to 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to transfer them to a baking sheet lined with a kitchen towel to drain. Wipe out the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining canola oil and meatballs.
- Cook the pasta: Bring 6 quarts water to a rolling boil in a large pot over high heat and season with 1/2 cup salt. The pasta water should taste like seawater. Add the lasagna sheets, stirring with a slotted spoon to make sure they do not clump or stick to the bottom, and cook for 4 minutes. Drain in a colander, rinse under cold water, and drain again. The pasta should still be very firm to the touch. Separate the sheets carefully so they don't stick together.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spoon a thin layer of the sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Arrange a layer of pasta sheets over the sauce. Sprinkle one-fourth of the mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmigiano-Reggiano over the pasta, and then add another thin layer of sauce. Dot the surface with about one-third of the meatballs, spacing them evenly. Repeat the layering process two more times. Add a final layer of pasta and top it with the remaining sauce and cheese.
- Bake the lasagna: Cover the dish tightly with foil and put it in the center of the oven. Bake for 45 minutes. Then raise the oven temperature to 450 degrees F and remove the foil. Bake the lasagna until the top browns slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 minutes or so before serving.
DUMP-AND-GO MEATBALL LASAGNA
Need an easy dinner that takes no more effort than popping a few ingredients in a pan? This hearty take on lasagna is made with 5 ingredients and absolutely no fuss-just add it all to your 13x9, and pop it in the oven. A quick stir just before it's done, plus a touch of extra cheese, helps ensure a perfectly baked dish.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
- In large bowl, mix pasta, frozen meatballs, pasta sauce, water and Italian seasoning. Pour mixture into dish. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Remove dish from oven; stir mixture thoroughly. Sprinkle with cheese.
- Bake uncovered 5 to 8 minutes longer or until pasta is tender and cheese is melted. Garnish with basil leaves before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Carbohydrate 47 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 5 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 840 mg, Sugar 5 g, TransFat 1/2 g
MEATBALL LASAGNA
This is an old recipe from the magazine "Quick Cooking". I use whole wheat lasagna noodles and lower sodium tomato products to make it a little healthier. My kids love it!
Provided by kellib626
Categories Meat
Time 1h30m
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In large saucepan, combine first 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain. Crumble meatballs into sauce.
- In a small bowl, combine egg and ricotta cheese. Spoon 1 cup of the meat sauce into a greased 9X13 pan. Layer with 1/2 the noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, mozzerella and parmesan cheeses. Repeat layers. Cover and bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Uncover, bake 5-10 minutes longer or until golden brown. Let stand for 15 minutes befor serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 261.9, Fat 11.4, SaturatedFat 6.5, Cholesterol 55.4, Sodium 547.5, Carbohydrate 25.3, Fiber 3.1, Sugar 7.5, Protein 15.8
QUICK MEATBALL LASAGNA
Make and share this Quick Meatball Lasagna recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Miss Annie
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h40m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Slice thawed meatballs in half.
- Set aside.
- Spray 13 x 9 baking dish with oil spray.
- Spread 1 cup sauce evenly in bottom of dish.
- Place 3 uncooked noodles over sauce.
- Set aside.
- Place egg in 1-quart bowl and beat with whisk.
- Add ricotta cheese to egg and stir well to blend.
- Dollop half of ricotta mixture evenly over noodles.
- Top ricotta with half of the meatballs.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups sauce over meatballs and place 3 more uncooked noodles over them.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce over meatballs.
- Place 3 more noodles over meatballs and pour remaining sauce (about 2 cups) evenly on top, spreading evenly.
- Make sure all noodles are well coated with sauce.
- Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with oil spray, and cover lasagna tightly, oil side down.
- Bake 1 hour at 350ºF.
- Remove dish from oven, uncover.
- Spoon some sauce from edges over exposed top noodles.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over top.
- Turn oven OFF and place dish, uncovered, in oven for 15 minutes more.
- Serve at once or remove lasana from oven and let rest (up to 15 minutes) until ready to serve.
PATSY'S MEATBALL LASAGNA
Fresh lasagna sheets are worth it for this specialty lasagna, which includes enrobing the layers of meatballs and sausage in a parcel of pasta sheets before the final step of baking.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Beef Recipes Ground Beef Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil; season with salt. Add lasagna sheets, and cook until pliable and al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pour 1 cup sauce into a shallow baking dish; set aside. Cut two sheets in half lengthwise to make four 2-by-8-inch sheets; set aside.
- Spread 1 cup sauce on the bottom of a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Dip half of a reserved cut sheet crosswise in the reserved sauce, and drape over a corner of the baking pan, leaving the sauce-covered end in the pan with the other half hanging over the edge. Repeat with remaining 3 cut sheets and corners. Line edges of pan in the same manner using full-size sheets dipped lengthwise. Finish lining the bottom of the pan with 2 full sheets.
- In a medium bowl, toss to combine meatballs with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano, and 1/4 cup basil; spread evenly in bottom of dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
- In the same bowl, toss sausages with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
- In a medium bowl, combine mozzarella with 1/3 cup pecorino Romano; spread evenly in baking dish. Pour over 1 cup sauce, and cover with 2 lasagna sheets.
- In a medium bowl, combine remaining 1/3 cup pecorino Romano with ricotta and egg; spread evenly in baking dish. Top with 1 cup sauce.
- Center pasta sheets on ricotta within 1/2-inch of the edge of dish. Brush draped lasagna with sauce, and fold over to seal and enclose.
- Cover lasagna with a clean, damp kitchen towel. Double-wrap baking dish in aluminum foil. Place an ovenproof plate, upside down, in a large roasting pan; fill pan with 2 inches of hot water. Place lasagna on top of plate. Bake until lasagna reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees to 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer, 1 1/2 hours to 1 hour 40 minutes. Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining basil, and serve with remaining sauce, if desired.
MEATLESS MEATBALL LASAGNA
A tasty 4-cheese lasagna made with meatless meatballs. You cannot tell the difference from real meat! You serve a great portion of protein. Don't tell and they won't know! Makes two 9x13-inch pans, it's easy! Can be frozen.
Provided by Acc Chef
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Lasagna Recipes Vegetarian Lasagna Recipes
Time 1h30m
Yield 24
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell peppers, garlic, basil, oregano, rosemary, and parsley; cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add thawed meatballs and break up with a spoon; cook until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Add spaghetti sauce, sugar, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce; cook until hot, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Mix ricotta, yogurt, and feta together in a large bowl.
- Ladle 3/4 cup spaghetti sauce mixture into the bottom of two 9x13-inch baking pans. Place 3 dry lasagna noodles over top, then spoon ricotta mixture over noodles, and top with mozzarella cheese and more sauce. Repeat layers once more: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle Parmesan over top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is golden brown and sauce is bubbling, about 40 minutes. Watch so cheese does not burn and cover if needed. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 366 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 48.2 mg, Fat 18.3 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 21.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.4 g, Sodium 586.4 mg, Sugar 8 g
THREE-CHEESE MEATBALL LASAGNE
Take lasagne to the next level by swapping the meat sauce for sausage meatballs. The fennel seeds and chilli add another layer of flavour and a little spice
Provided by Cassie Best
Categories Dinner, Main course, Pasta, Supper
Time 1h55m
Yield Serves 6-8
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Squeeze the meat from the sausages and roll into meatballs - you'll get about four balls from each sausage. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wide, deep frying pan or casserole dish. Cook the meatballs in batches, making sure you don't overcrowd the pan, until they're all golden brown. Put them aside on a plate when they're ready.
- Heat the rest of the oil in the pan and add the onion. Cook for 8-10 mins until soft, then stir in the garlic, fennel, oregano and chilli, if using. Stir around for a min or 2, then add the sugar, passata and tomatoes. Swish a little water around the containers to wash out all the tomatoes and add to the pan. Season well and simmer, uncovered, for 30-40 mins over a gentle heat until the sauce thickens and the chopped tomatoes break down.
- Heat the butter in a saucepan, add the bay leaves and let them sizzle in the butter for 1 min, then add the flour. Whisk to make a smooth paste, then add the milk, a little at a time, stirring continuously until it's all incorporated and you have a thick white sauce. Add the nutmeg and some seasoning. Leave over a low heat for 5 mins to allow the bay to infuse, whisking every now and then.
- Keep about 10 meatballs aside and add the rest to the tomato sauce. Spoon half the tomato sauce and meatballs into a baking dish (ours was 25cm x 35cm). Top with half the spinach, the basil and a little parmesan. Pour over about a third of the white sauce, and top with a layer of lasagne sheets, breaking them up to fit the dish if you need to.
- Repeat the layers once more; meatballs and sauce, spinach, basil, parmesan, white sauce, pasta. Pour the remaining white sauce over the lasagne, spreading it to the corners to cover the pasta. Dot with the meatballs you set aside earlier and the mozzarella, then scatter over a generous helping of parmesan and cheddar. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Or if not eating straight away, chill for up to 24 hrs or freeze for two months (defrost in the fridge overnight before cooking).
- Bake the lasagne for 40-50 mins until bubbling and golden with lots of crusty cheesy bits around the edges. Leave to sit for 5-10 mins before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 771 calories, Fat 47 grams fat, SaturatedFat 22 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 55 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 17 grams sugar, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 29 grams protein, Sodium 1.7 milligram of sodium
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Season the meatballs well with salt, pepper, and your favorite Italian herbs.
- Brown the meatballs in a skillet before adding them to the sauce. This will help to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Use a thick, flavorful sauce for the lasagna. A good option is to use a combination of tomato sauce, ground beef, and Italian sausage.
- Layer the lasagna with plenty of cheese. A good option is to use a combination of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan.
- Bake the lasagna until it is bubbly and golden brown. This usually takes about 30-40 minutes.
- Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help to prevent it from falling apart.
Conclusion:
Meatball lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is perfect for a hearty, comforting meal. With its layers of tender meatballs, flavorful sauce, and melted cheese, it's sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just a weeknight dinner, this recipe is sure to please.
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