Description
Pizza Lasagna is a delicious fusion dish combining the comforting layers of classic lasagna with the bold flavors of pizza. Featuring a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture, pepperoni slices, and seasoned marinara, this baked casserole offers the ultimate comfort food experience perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or mix of beef and Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz / 680g) marinara or pizza sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp sugar (optional)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese for lighter option)
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the Layers:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (boiled or oven-ready)
- 20–25 pepperoni slices (more if desired)
- Extra mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef (and sausage if using) and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, then drain excess fat. Add chopped onion and garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in marinara or pizza sauce and tomato paste. Season with oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken and enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and chopped parsley. Mix well until smooth and creamy, which will create a rich layer between noodles and sauce.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles: If using traditional noodles, cook them in salted boiling water following package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay on parchment paper or lightly oiled foil to prevent sticking. Skip this step if using oven-ready noodles.
- Assemble the Pizza Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Layer noodles over sauce, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture. Spoon more meat sauce over cheese, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with noodles topped with sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni slices evenly distributed like a pizza topping.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the dish with foil to prevent over-browning and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Allow lasagna to rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing to let layers set properly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley over the top. Slice and serve hot alongside garlic bread, a fresh salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef entirely or partially with Italian sausage for a richer flavor.
- Using oven-ready noodles saves time, but traditional noodles provide a more classic texture.
- For a lighter cheese option, replace ricotta with cottage cheese.
- Make sure to let the lasagna rest after baking to avoid it falling apart when slicing.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially the salt and sugar to balance acidity.
- Additional toppings like mushrooms or bell peppers can be added for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: pizza lasagna, layered casserole, comfort food, Italian-American, baked pasta, pepperoni lasagna, cheesy lasagna, meat sauce, ricotta cheese
