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Best Cheesy Beef & Eggplant Lasagna: Easy Homemade Recipe

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A hearty and delicious lasagna that swaps pasta for roasted eggplant, creating a silky, creamy texture that blends perfectly with rich beef and tangy tomato sauce. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and is a crowd-pleaser that even vegetable skeptics will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 large eggplant (about 1 pound / 450g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for eggplant)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (for eggplant)
  • 2 cups (500g) whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (for ricotta)
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper (for ricotta)
  • 3 cups (300g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Prepare the eggplant: Slice the eggplant into ½-inch (1.25 cm) thick rounds. Lay them on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels, sprinkle both sides with 1 teaspoon salt, and let them sit for 15 minutes. Pat dry with more paper towels. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil and arrange in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and lightly golden. Set aside to cool slightly.
  3. While the eggplant roasts, start the meat sauce: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain off any excess fat if desired.
  5. Season the beef with salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Pour in the crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer while you prepare the cheese mixture, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  7. Make the ricotta mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, ½ cup Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
  8. Lower the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
  9. Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce (about ½ cup) on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
  10. Layer 1: Arrange half of the roasted eggplant slices over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the eggplant. Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded mozzarella.
  11. Layer 2: Spread half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese. Add the rest of the eggplant slices, then the remaining ricotta mixture. Sprinkle another cup of mozzarella.
  12. Top layer: Spread the remaining meat sauce over everything. Sprinkle with the last cup of mozzarella and the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan cheese.
  13. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown. If desired, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes for a darker, crispier top.
  14. Let the lasagna rest at room temperature for at least 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Don’t skip salting the eggplant to avoid watery lasagna. Roasting the eggplant instead of frying uses less oil and gives better flavor. Let the sauce simmer for at least 10 minutes to thicken. Resting the lasagna after baking is crucial for clean slices. For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and double the eggplant. For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free ricotta and vegan mozzarella.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna, eggplant, beef, cheesy, easy, homemade, gluten-free, comfort food

Find it online: https://nadinetable.com/best-cheesy-beef-and-eggplant-lasagna-easy-homemade-recipe/