Best 7 Tasty Meat Sauce For Lasagna Recipes

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**Indulge in a Culinary Masterpiece: Explore a Symphony of Meat Sauces for an Exquisite Lasagna Experience**

Lasagna, a culinary masterpiece with its captivating layers of pasta, delectable fillings, and rich sauce, is an Italian dish that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide. At the heart of this beloved dish lies the meat sauce, a flavorful symphony of ingredients that elevates the lasagna to a realm of pure gastronomic delight. This article presents a curated collection of meat sauce recipes, each offering a unique flavor profile and culinary adventure. From the classic Italian ragu to the bold and spicy Mexican-inspired sauce, these recipes cater to diverse taste preferences and dietary requirements. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, these sauces will transform your lasagna into an unforgettable experience. Buon Appetito!

**Recipes Included:**

1. **Classic Italian Meat Sauce (Ragu alla Bolognese):** Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Italy with this traditional meat sauce. Simmered with tender ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a symphony of Italian herbs, this sauce captures the essence of authentic Italian cuisine.

2. **Spicy Mexican Meat Sauce:** Ignite your taste buds with this vibrant and flavorful Mexican-inspired meat sauce. A blend of ground beef, zesty chili peppers, and a medley of Mexican spices creates a sauce that brings the heat and adds a unique twist to your lasagna.

3. **Light and Healthy Turkey Meat Sauce:** For those seeking a healthier take on this classic dish, this light and healthy turkey meat sauce is the perfect choice. Ground turkey, lean and flavorful, pairs with fresh vegetables and herbs to create a sauce that is both nutritious and delicious.

4. **Vegetarian Meatless Sauce:** Embracing the beauty of plant-based cuisine, this vegetarian meatless sauce is a symphony of flavors and textures. A combination of mushrooms, lentils, and vegetables, simmered in a rich tomato sauce, delivers a satisfying and protein-packed alternative to traditional meat sauces.

5. **Creamy Pesto Meat Sauce:** Indulge in a luscious and velvety twist on the classic meat sauce with this creamy pesto variation. Fresh basil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese blend seamlessly with ground beef and a touch of cream, creating a sauce that is both indulgent and irresistibly aromatic.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

While not a 30-minute meal, this lasagna is quicker and more straightforward than most. If you're in a real time crunch, use your favorite jarred red sauce. For greater success with the lasagna noodles, which have a tendency to stick together, boil them in the largest pot possible or work in batches - they need as much water as possible to move freely so they don't clump. This lasagna can be assembled, baked and refrigerated up to five days ahead, or frozen up to a month ahead if wrapped tightly.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     dinner, weekday, weeknight, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot (optional), casings removed
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella, grated or shredded into small pieces
16 ounces (2 cups) whole milk ricotta
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling on top (optional)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound dried lasagna noodles (not the no-boil variety)
Olive oil

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sausage, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's starting to brown but not yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
  • Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until the tomato paste has turned a deeper brick red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
  • Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into smaller, bite-size pieces and add them and the crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Make the lasagna: Heat oven to 375 degrees and set a large pot of salted water to boil.
  • Set aside 1 cup mozzarella. In a medium bowl, combine remaining mozzarella, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan and cream; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Cook lasagna noodles in the large pot of salted boiling water until just softened (before they are even aldente), about 4 minutes. Drain and separate any noodles that are trying to stick together, slicking them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking further.
  • Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with a layer of noodles, avoiding any heavy overlap.
  • Top with about 1 ¼ cups of sauce, and dollop ¼ of the cheese mixture over. Top with another layer of noodles and repeat three more times, ending with the last of the noodles (depending on size of the noodle/shape of the baking dish, you may have a few extra noodles) and the last of the sauce. Top with reserved 1 cup mozzarella and more Parmesan, if you like.
  • Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (to prevent any overflow from burning on the bottom of your oven).
  • Bake until pasta is completely tender and cooked through and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake until lasagna is golden brown on top with frilly, crispy edges and corners, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 938, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Carbohydrate 61 grams, Fat 58 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 44 grams, SaturatedFat 26 grams, Sodium 1333 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

CLASSIC LASAGNA RECIPE BY TASTY



Classic Lasagna Recipe by Tasty image

When layers of cheesy lasagna come together flawlessly, that's amore! Pile on beefy marinara sauce, delicious noodles, and a blend of cheeses, then kick back and let this lasagna do the bakin'. This classic Italian dinner is easy to whip up and even easier to call your go-to comfort food.

Provided by Betsy Carter

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
1 lb ground beef, cooked and drained of fat
4 cups marinara sauce
4 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
15 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instrucions
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Grease a 9 x 13-inch (22 x 33 cm) baking dish lightly with nonstick spray.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef and marinara sauce.
  • In a separate large bowl, combine the ricotta, Parmesan, parsley, basil, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
  • Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with 5 cooked lasagna noodles, overlapping as needed to completely cover the sauce. Spread 2 cups of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat with the remaining meat sauce, noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella to make 2 more layers.
  • Bake the lasagna for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling up through the layers. Turn the broiler to high and broil for 1-2 minutes, until the top layer of cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  • Let the lasagna cool for 30-45 minutes, then serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 946 calories, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 58 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 68 grams, Sugar 7 grams

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA



World's Best Lasagna image

It takes a little work, but it is worth it.

Provided by John Chandler

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 3h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
¾ pound lean ground beef
½ cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  • To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1400.4 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

THE BEST LASAGNA RECIPE BY TASTY



The Best Lasagna Recipe by Tasty image

Tasty's ultimate lasagna is cheesy, comforting and indulgent. We spent hours upon hours perfecting this recipe to test different techniques, methods, and ingredients and ended up with a dish that has layers of creamy béchamel, rich tomato sauce, and mounds of mozzarella and fontina cheeses. We truly think it's the best!

Provided by Lauren Lee

Categories     Dinner

Time 22h10m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 35

½ lb ground sirloin, lean
½ lb mild italian pork sausage, casing removed
2 oz prosciutto, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
½ teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ cup dry red wine
28 oz whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
1 ½ cups passata, or strained tomatoes
1 large carrot, eeled
½ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
6 cups whole milk, room temperature
2 teaspoons kosher salt
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
1 lb no boil lasagna noodles
hot water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups freshly grated fontina cheese
1 cup freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese
4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into small pieces
¼ cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
fresh basil leaf, for garnish

Steps:

  • Make the meat sauce: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground sirloin, sausage, and prosciutto, being careful not to overmix. Shape into 5-6 large, shaggy meatballs.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and brown on all sides, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion. Season with salt and sauté until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds. Sauté for 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the color turns dark red, 3-4 minutes.
  • Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, and cook until the liquid has almost evaporated, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the canned tomatoes, passata, carrot, butter, the browned meatballs, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½-2 hours, until the sauce has thickened.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and discard the carrot, then use a potato masher to crush the meatballs into small pieces. Season the sauce with more salt to taste. If the sauce tastes too acidic, add the granulated sugar. Stir in the basil leaves and set aside.
  • Make the béchamel sauce: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter starts to foam, add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for about 3 minutes, until no lumps remain but the roux has not yet browned. While whisking, slowly pour in the milk until evenly incorporated. Whisk in the salt, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Bring to a low simmer and cook, whisking often, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  • Assemble the lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13 x 3-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Add no-boil lasagna noodles to a large baking dish or bowl. Cover with hot water and add the olive oil. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until the noodles are a bit more pliable, but still snap when broken in half.
  • Spread about ¾ cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles. Spread about 1 heaping cup of béchamel over noodles in an even layer. Top with 1 heaping cup of meat sauce, followed by ¼ cup fontina and ¼ cup grated mozzarella. Add another layer of noodles, arranging in the opposite direction as the first layer, and top with about 1 heaping cup of béchamel. Repeat to make 4 more layers, ending with a layer of lasagna noodles.
  • Spread 1 cup of béchamel, then 1 cup of meat sauce over the noodles. Scatter the remaining ½ cup of fontina, the fresh mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Reserve the remaining meat sauce for serving. Cover the baking dish with a sheet of foil (grease the underside with nonstick spray to prevent the cheese from sticking) and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake the lasagna for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Broil for 1-2 minutes, if desired, to brown the cheese. Remove from the oven and let the lasagna sit for at least 20 minutes to cool.
  • Garnish the lasagna with the basil, then serve with the reserved meat sauce alongside.
  • Enjoy!

TASTY MEAT SAUCE FOR LASAGNA



Tasty Meat Sauce for Lasagna image

Looking to use up some stuff in my freezer, I came up with this recipe with things I had on hand. It is really tasty and made a great lasagna! There aren't many ingredients, so it's simple to make. You will need a larger pot for this.

Provided by atm1970

Categories     Sauces

Time 3h30m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 lb Italian sausage (any variety, casings removed)
1/2 lb ground beef
2 (28 ounce) cans tomatoes (I used one crushed and one puree)
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce (I use Red Pack)
1/2 large onion, diced
1 large carrot, peeled and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup beef or 1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/3 cup white zinfandel wine or 1/3 cup blush wine
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Remove sausage from casings.
  • In a large pot, brown sausage and ground beef.
  • Remove meat from pot and set aside.
  • Remove excess grease (reserving some to saute veggies) from the pot and add carrot, onion and garlic.
  • Cook until soft and onion is transparent.
  • Add meat back into the pot, stirring mixture for about two minutes.
  • Add wine and cook until liquid evaporates.
  • Add tomatoes and tomato sauce to meat and veggie mixture.
  • Bring sauce to quick boil.
  • Simmer on low for at least 3 hours.
  • If sauce beomes too thick for your taste, thin it with the broth.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 804.5, Fat 60.5, SaturatedFat 22.8, Cholesterol 131.2, Sodium 1747.4, Carbohydrate 27.2, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 15.6, Protein 39.3

MEAT SAUCE LASAGNA



Meat Sauce Lasagna image

I learned to make lasagna from my mother, and think this recipe is so much better than any other lasagna I've tried. Feel free to add green peppers to the meat sauce if that sounds good to you. The meat sauce gets more flavor as it cooks, so simmer it anywhere from 45 minutes to a couple of hours, but keep the temerature low so you don't reduce the amount by much. I also really recommend using the long rectangular slices of mozzarella cheese (approximately 3x6 inches) rather then shredded cheese, since it is so much easier to spread the meat sauce on the slices.

Provided by karen

Categories     Meat

Time 2h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 onion, chopped
8 ounces tomato sauce
6 ounces tomato paste
garlic powder, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
basil, to taste
oregano, to taste
2 eggs, beaten
24 ounces cottage cheese, large curd
6 lasagna noodles
8 slices mozzarella cheese (long rectangular slices, not small squares)
4 tablespoons parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Brown ground beef with onion in large pot. Drain grease and return to pot.
  • Add tomato sauce & tomato paste, plus one can of water of each.
  • Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, basil and oregano.
  • Cook 45 minutes or more.
  • Just before you are ready to assemble the lasagna, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles, laying them flat. Do not break. Cook in boiling water for about 10-15 minutes, then drain.
  • While noodles are cooking, mix eggs with cottage cheese in a medium bowl.
  • Spray 9 x 13 glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  • TO ASSEMBLE LASAGNA: Place layer of noodles on bottom of pan, cutting them to fit so they do not overlap.
  • Spread 1/2 of the cottage cheese over the noodles.
  • Place a layer of mozzarella cheese on the cottage cheese, cutting the cheese as needed to avoid overlapping.
  • Spread 1/2 of the meat sauce on top of the cheese.
  • Sprinkle with 2 oz Parmesan cheese.
  • Repeat layers (noodles, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, meat sauce and then Parmesan cheese).
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
  • NOTE: Lasagna can be assembled in advance and baked just before serving. Let sit for a few minutes before cutting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 481.3, Fat 25.5, SaturatedFat 11.3, Cholesterol 144.9, Sodium 947, Carbohydrate 23.6, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 7.7, Protein 38.6

BEEF AND SPINACH LASAGNA



Beef and Spinach Lasagna image

Using no-cook noodles gives you a jump start on assembling this hearty beef and spinach lasagna. It cuts nicely after standing a few minutes, revealing flavorful layers. -Carolyn Schmeling, Brookfield, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h20m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 medium onion, chopped
2 jars (24 ounces each) spaghetti sauce
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
9 no-cook lasagna noodles
Minced fresh basil, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°. In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; crumble beef drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, garlic, basil and oregano. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. In a large bowl, mix together the spinach, ricotta and 1 cup mozzarella cheese., Spread 1-1/2 cups meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with 3 noodles. Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce to edges of noodles. Top with half of the spinach mixture. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining noodles, sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese., Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover; bake until bubbly, 10-15 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. If desired, top with minced fresh basil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 281 calories, Fat 11g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 50mg cholesterol, Sodium 702mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of meats: Combining different types of meat, such as ground beef, pork, and sausage, adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
  • Brown the meat well: Browning the meat before adding it to the sauce helps to develop its flavor.
  • Use a good quality tomato sauce: A flavorful tomato sauce is the foundation of a great meat sauce. Look for a sauce that is made with fresh tomatoes and has a rich flavor.
  • Simmer the sauce for a long time: Simmering the sauce for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Add some vegetables: Adding vegetables, such as onions, carrots, and celery, to the sauce adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
  • Season the sauce to taste: Be sure to taste the sauce before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed.

Conclusion:

This tasty meat sauce is the perfect addition to your next lasagna. It is flavorful, hearty, and easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make a meat sauce that will impress your family and friends. So next time you are making lasagna, be sure to try this recipe. You won't be disappointed!

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