Aunt Vicky'S Lasagna
A hearty and cheesy lasagna with rich tomato sauce, seasoned ground beef, and melty cheeses, perfect for family dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 small can tomato sauce ⓘ
- 1 small can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 1/2 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves chopped garlic ⓘ
- 1/4 cup catsup ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 3 lb. browned hamburger meat ⓘ
- Mozzarella cheese, grated ⓘ
- mild Cheddar cheese, grated ⓘ
- Parmesan cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the hamburger meat in a large skillet.
- Mix the spices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, catsup, chopped onion, chopped garlic, and Worcestershire sauce; simmer covered for 1 hour.
- Add the cooked meat to the sauce mixture after the first 30 minutes of simmering.
- Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water until tender.
- Mix the grated Mozzarella, mild Cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses.
- Layer the cooked noodles, meat sauce, and cheese mixture in a baking dish, repeating layers as desired.
- Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted and golden.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce. If you're short on time, you can use store-bought marinara instead of making the sauce from scratch. To lighten the dish, try using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Experiment with different cheeses like ricotta or fontina for a unique twist, similar to what you might find in Italian recipes.
Serving Suggestions
Aunt Vicky's Lasagna pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or a light soup for a cozy dinner. For an Italian twist, offer a selection of red wine to complement the rich flavors of the dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or cover the entire dish with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through. For best results, add a splash of water before reheating to keep the lasagna moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Aunt Vicky'S Lasagna contains roughly 668 calories, with 17g protein, 85g carbohydrates, and 30g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (58% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (37% of the Daily Value), and protein (34% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1355mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare Aunt Vicky's Lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Just be sure to adjust the baking time as it may take a bit longer to cook from cold.
What can I substitute for the hamburger meat?
Ground turkey or chicken works well as a leaner alternative. For a vegetarian option, consider using sautéed mushrooms or lentils to create a hearty filling while keeping the texture satisfying.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To prevent sticking, make sure to stir the lasagna noodles in the boiling water occasionally while cooking. After draining, rinse them briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep them from clumping.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).