Make Ahead Cheeseburger Lasagna Food

THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• FOR THE SAUCE: Heat the oil in a Dutch oven (or large pot) over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add the onions and cook until softened but not browned, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the meat, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces until the meat loses its raw color but has not browned, about 4 minutes.
• Stir in the cream, bring to a simmer, and cook until the liquid evaporates and only the fat remains, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato puree and drained diced tomatoes (and a splash of your favorite red wine if you feel so inclined).
• Bring to a simmer and cook until the flavors are blended, about 3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• FOR THE RICOTTA FILLING: Stir all the ingredients together until combined; set aside.
• TO ASSEMBLE THE LASAGNA: Spread 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish (avoiding large chunks of meat).
• Place 3 noodles in a single layer.
• Spread each noodle with 1/3 cup of the ricotta mixture.
• Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella.
• Spoon 1 cup of sauce evenly over the cheeses.
• Repeat layering twice more.
• Place the remaining 3 noodles on top, cover with the remaining sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup mozzerella and the Parmesan.
• TO STORE: Wrap the dish tightly with plastic wrap and then foil and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 1 month. (If frozen, the casserole must be thawed completely in the refrigerator, about 24 hours).
• TO SERVE: Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and pre-heat to 400 degrees. Unwrap the dish and cover tightly with aluminium foil that has been sprayed with vegetable oil spray (or use nonstick foil). Place a rimmed baking sheet under the dish to catch any overspill. Bake until the sauce bubbles lightly around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until hot throughout and the cheese is browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes longer. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
• TO SERVE RIGHT AWAY: Follow instructions above, reducing covered baking time to 15 minutes.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ketchup and mustard. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl, beat egg with fork or wire whisk. Stir in ricotta cheese and 2 cups of the cheese blend.
• Spread 1 cup beef mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with 1 1/2 cups beef mixture. Repeat layers once with 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and 1 1/2 cups beef mixture. Top with remaining 4 noodles, beef mixture and 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake lasagna, covered, 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 25 to 35 minutes longer or until bubbly. Remove from oven. Cover with foil; let stand 5 to 10 minutes before cutting.
• Just before serving, top with lettuce, tomato and pickles. Serve with additional ketchup if desired.

CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Brown meat with onions in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add tomato sauce, ketchup and mustard; mix well. Cook 5 min., stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
• Mix cream cheese and milk in medium bowl until blended. Add pickles and 1 cup shredded cheese; mix well.
• Spread 1 cup meat mixture onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with 3 noodles and half the cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat mixture and shredded cheese. Cover.
• Bake 30 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 25 min.

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic until brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorporated. Cook until heated through.
• In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.
• Cover, and cook on LOW setting for 4 to 6 hours.

CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°.
• In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with a bit of olive oil to prevent noodles from sticking.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add onion, season with salt and pepper, and cook until soft, 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more.
• Add ground beef to skillet and season generously with more salt and pepper. Cook until browned, about 8 minutes, then drain the fat. Return to pan over medium heat and stir in tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Pour in tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, and simmer 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Make ricotta mixture: In a medium bowl, stir together the ricotta and egg and season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Assemble lasagna: In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Top with a layer of noodles, a big spoonful of ricotta mixture, another spoonful of meat sauce, and a sprinkle of cheeses. Repeat 3 more times, ending with cheese.
• Bake until bubbly and golden, 35 minutes, then broil top if desired.
• Garnish with tomatoes, pickles, green onions, and sesame seeds. Serve.

MAKE-AHEAD CHILI & CHEESE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Brown meat with garlic in large skillet. Add next 7 ingredients; stir. Simmer 5 min., stirring occasionally.
• Spread 2 cups meat sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray; cover with layers of 3 noodles, 1/2 cup each cottage cheese and shredded cheese, and 2 cups of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining shredded cheese. Cool. Wrap tightly in foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Refrigerate overnight to thaw.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Unwrap lasagna, leaving just top covered with foil. Bake 1 hour 10 min. or until heated through, uncovering after 1 hour. Let stand 10 min. before cutting to serve.

THE BEST MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA (FREEZER-FRIENDLY TOO!)

Steps:

• Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add meatloaf mix and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in cream and simmer until liquid evaporates and only fat remains, about 4 minutes. Stir in tomato puree and tomatoes, bring to simmer, and cook until flavors meld, about 5 minutes. Off heat, stir in basil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan, basil, egg, salt, and pepper in bowl.
• Spread 1 cup sauce over bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish (avoiding large chunks of meat). Lay 3 noodles in dish, spread 1/3 cup ricotta mixture over each noodle, then top with 1 cup mozzarella and 1 cup sauce (in that order). Repeat layering process 2 more times. Top with remaining 3 noodles, remaining sauce, remaining 1 cup mozzarella, and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Cover dish tightly with greased aluminum foil, place on foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, and continue to bake until spotty brown and bubbling around edges, 25 to 35 minutes. Let casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving.

LASAGNA CASSEROLE - EASY (BUT DELICIOUS!)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil on the stovetop.
• Add in your pasta and allow it to cook until it's al dente (cook the pasta for one or two minutes less than it says to on the back of the packet). Once you finish cooking the pasta, drain the water, and keep the pasta ready on your counter.
• Place a large skillet onto a medium heat on the stovetop and throw in your ground beef, chopped onions, and minced garlic. Allow the ingredients to cook on medium heat until the ground beef is browned all over, and the onions have softened up.
• Add in your Italian herbs and seasoning alongside salt and pepper to taste. Stir before pouring over your marinara sauce. Pour in a little water (no more than 2 tbsps) to lighten the sauce.
• Allow the ingredients to simmer in the sauce until it's warmed up (no need to boil), then add your drained pasta to the mix and stir everything together.
• Now you need to prepare a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish and preheat your oven to 350 °F.
• While the oven is preheating, pour your ricotta cheese into a large mixing bowl. Crack your large egg into the bowl and whisk it into the cheese.
• Shred your mozzarella cheese and grate your parmesan. Add half of both kinds of cheese to the mixing bowl. Stir everything together with a light seasoning of pepper.
• Now it's time to layer your lasagna casserole. First, pour half of the sauce, beef, and pasta into the baking dish. Add a smooth layer of your cheese mixture, then add a second layer of sauce, beef, and pasta.
• Add any leftover cheese mixture to the top, cover the pan with tin foil, and then place the lasagna casserole into the oven.
• After 30 min of baking, take the easy lasagna casserole out of the oven, remove the tin foil, and cover the top with the rest of your grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella.
• Place the lasagna back into the oven, this time uncovered. Bake for a further 10 min to give the lasagna a cheesy, yet golden brown finish.
• Leave to cool, sprinkle with fresh basil, and serve up to a hungry dinner table!

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESEBURGER LASAGNA

Steps:

• Spray 13×9-inch (3qt) baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 12-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is brown;drain. Stir in tomato sauce, water, ketchup and mustard. Simmer 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, in medium bowl beat egg with whisk or fork. Stir in ricotta cheese and 2 cups cheese blend.
• Spread 1 cup beef mixture over bottom of baking dish. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with 1 1/2 cups of beef mixture. Repeat layers once with 4 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture and 1 1/2 cups meat mixture. Top with remaining 4 noodles, beef mixture and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
• Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
• Heat oven to 350°F Bake lasagna covered 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 25-35 minutes longer or until bubbly. Remove from oven. Cover with foil; let stand 5-10 minutes before cutting.
• Just before serving, top with lettuce, tomato and pickles. Serve with additional ketchup if desired.

MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook and crumble beef and sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in marinara and pizza sauces. In a bowl, mix eggs, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley and pepper., Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 4 noodles, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup meat sauce and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight., Preheat oven to 375°. Remove lasagna from refrigerator while oven heats. Bake, covered, 45 minutes. Bake, uncovered, until cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

MAKE-AHEAD LASAGNA

Steps:

• Peel and chop the onion to measure 1/2 cup.
• In a 4-quart Dutch oven, cook the beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is thoroughly cooked. Place a strainer or colander in a large bowl; line strainer with a double thickness of paper towels. Pour the beef mixture into the strainer to drain. Return beef mixture to Dutch oven; discard paper towels and any juices in the bowl.
• Into the beef, stir the parsley, basil, sugar, seasoned salt, tomatoes (with liquid), soup, tomato paste and water. Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring occasionally. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat just enough so mixture bubbles gently. Cook uncovered 20 minutes.
• In an ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish, spread 2 cups of the sauce mixture. Top with 4 uncooked noodles. Spread half of the cottage cheese over noodles; spread with 2 cups sauce mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat with 4 noodles, remaining cottage cheese, 2 cups sauce mixture and remaining mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining noodles and sauce; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil; refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 350°F. Bake covered 30 minutes. Remove foil; bake 30 to 40 minutes longer or until hot in center. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

SIMPLE LASAGNA BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix the ground beef Italian sausage, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Form the mixture into 12 thin, wide patties. Place about 2 ounces of ricotta cheese in the middle of 6 patties. Place the remaining 6 patties over the ricotta topped patties, press down, and pinch the edges to seal the cheese in the center.
• Cook on the preheated grill until the burgers are cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 8 minutes per side for well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C).
• Place the cooked burgers on buns, then top with spaghetti sauce, Parmesan cheese, and spinach leaves.