Community Potluck Lasagna
A layered pasta dish with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and fresh mozzarella, perfect for sharing with friends. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 75 minutes pairs lasagna noodles, ground beef, spaghetti sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cups spaghetti sauce
- 1 cup béchamel sauce
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Step 2: In a skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until browned. Add spaghetti sauce, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: In a bowl, whisk together béchamel sauce, 1 egg, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
- Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/3 noodles, 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 béchamel, and 1/3 mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with a top layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle parmesan on top.
- Step 5: Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Community Potluck Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (40 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Community Potluck Lasagna?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lasagna noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Community Potluck Lasagna?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Community Potluck Lasagna for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Community Potluck Lasagna?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
