Description
This mouthwatering lasagna pie features layers of tender pasta, flavorful beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and golden, bubbly cheese. Baked in a pie shape, it’s an eye-catching dish that delivers all the cozy flavors of traditional lasagna — with a show-stopping presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 410 g) crushed or diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups (375 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups (150 g) shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional, for a classic flavor)
- 10–12 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente
- Fresh thyme or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent. Stir in ground beef, cooking until browned. Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and rich. Set aside.
- Mix the Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, salt, and nutmeg. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble the Lasagna Pie: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly grease a 9-inch (23 cm) round springform pan or deep pie dish. Line the edges and base with lasagna noodles, letting some hang over the rim slightly. Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Add spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture, then more noodles. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of noodles. Spread remaining meat sauce and top generously with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing — this helps it hold its shape perfectly.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with fresh thyme or parsley. Slice into wedges like a pie and serve warm.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with sautéed vegetables or lentils.
- Make sure to let the lasagna rest before slicing for better presentation.
- Feel free to add your favorite herbs or spices to the meat sauce for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg