Ingredients and Weight:
- Eggplant: 1 pound (sliced into 1/4-inch thick strips)
- Ground beef: 1 pound
- Onion: 1 medium (chopped)
- Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)
- Tomato sauce: 24 ounces
- Lasagna noodles: 1 package (12 ounces)
- Ricotta cheese: 15 ounces
- Mozzarella cheese: 8 ounces (shredded)
- Parmesan cheese: 1/2 cup (shredded)
Preparation Time:
Cooking Time:
Difficulty Level:
Preparation Method Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and grill over medium heat for 10 minutes per side, or until tender.
- Brown ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Drain any excess fat.
- Add onion and garlic to the skillet with the beef and cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
- In a large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer half of the tomato sauce mixture, then half of the lasagna noodles, eggplant slices, and ricotta mixture.
- Repeat layers, ending with tomato sauce.
- Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and heated through.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18 grams
- Protein: 25 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
Dish Characteristics:
- Rich and flavorful
- Hearty and filling
- Vegetarian-friendly (without ground beef)
- Can be made ahead of time and reheated
User Comments:
- "This lasagna was amazing! The eggplant added a great smoky flavor and the ricotta kept it moist and creamy."
- "My whole family loved this recipe. It's a great way to use up leftover eggplant."
- "I doubled the recipe and it fed 16 people easily. It was a hit at my dinner party."
Special Precautions and Tips:
- To make a vegetarian lasagna, omit the ground beef and add extra vegetables, such as zucchini or bell peppers.
- If using fresh eggplant, salt the slices and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out the excess moisture.
- Serve lasagna with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
