Description
Joanna Gaines’ dutch oven lasagna combines rich layers of pasta, ground beef, and melted cheeses for a comforting family meal. Home cooks will savor each hearty bite of this classic Italian-American dish that brings warmth to dinner tables everywhere.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground chuck
- 1 lb (454 g) ground Italian sausage
- 32–48 oz (907–1361 g) marinara sauce (2 jars)
- 9 oz (255 g) no-boil lasagna noodles (1 box)
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta or cottage cheese (1 tub)
- 2 cups freshly shredded or sliced mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup dry red wine
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tbsp minced fresh parsley
- 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Chopped fresh basil, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Ricotta Blend: Whisk egg, ricotta, and parsley in a small bowl until smooth and well-combined. Set mixture aside for layering.
- Brown Meat Base: In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, sear ground chuck and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain excess fat, keeping 2 tablespoons of drippings. Transfer meat to a separate bowl.
- Aromatic Foundation: In the same Dutch oven, caramelize onions until translucent. Add garlic and quickly sauté, releasing fragrant notes. Deglaze with red wine, incorporating crushed red pepper flakes. Stir in marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to develop deep flavors.
- Construct Lasagna Layers: Pour initial marinara meat sauce into Dutch oven’s bottom. Layer no-boil lasagna noodles, breaking to fit completely. Alternate between ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and noodles, creating 3-4 strategic layers that ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Slow Cook and Finish: Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook lasagna for 30-40 minutes until noodles soften and dish heats thoroughly. Uncover and broil 2-3 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy top surface.
- Rest and Serve: Allow lasagna to settle for 10-15 minutes, enabling layers to set. Optionally garnish with fresh basil before presenting this rustic, comforting dish.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality ground chuck and Italian sausage for deeper, richer flavor profiles that elevate the entire lasagna.
- Wine Depth Enhancer: Use a dry red wine to deglaze the pan, which adds complex undertones and helps extract caramelized meat and vegetable flavors.
- Noodle Placement Technique: Break no-boil noodles strategically to create full coverage without gaps, ensuring every bite has perfect pasta texture.
- Resting is Crucial: Allow the lasagna to rest after cooking, which helps layers solidify and prevents falling apart when serving, creating cleaner, more appealing portions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg