Home Design Showstopper Lasagna
A visually stunning, layered lasagna with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and a golden cheese crust, perfect for entertaining. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 minutes pairs sheets lasagna noodles, ground beef, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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 sheets lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup, grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until translucent, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned (5 minutes). Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste and 1 tsp dried oregano, then add 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix 15 oz ricotta cheese with 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil.
- Step 4: In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread 1 cup tomato sauce on the bottom. Layer 4 lasagna noodles, then 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, then 1/2 of the remaining tomato sauce, and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers once.
- Step 5: Top with remaining noodles, tomato sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Home Design Showstopper Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 Home Design Showstopper 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 sheets lasagna noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Home Design Showstopper 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 Home Design Showstopper 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 Home Design Showstopper 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
