How to Make the Best Hearty Beef Lasagna

Test cook Christie Morrison makes host Julia Collin Davison the perfect Hearty Beef Lasagna. Then, tasting expert Jack Bishop challenges host Bridget Lancaster to a tasting of block mozzarella. And finally, test cook Lan Lam makes Bridget a new weeknight favorite-Chicken Scarpariello.
Get the recipe for Hearty Beef Lasagna: cooks.io/2NJGF5b
Buy our best buy Dutch oven: cooks.io/2BNTE0x
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[@lydiamashcka4362]

I have made this several times it is really good. I cut the recipe in half and put it in a 9x9 pan because there is just two of us and it comes out perfect! I only use 9 noodles and I cut them 9 inches long after they come out of the water and I use the shorter pieces to form a single row of noodle, it works out perfectly, no waste.

[@johnboyd7158]

Great. Just 2 of us as well. Appreciate the tip.

[@johnboyd7158]

This isn’t a quick recipe; however I have made it several times over the last couple of years and it is absolutely delicious! Friends and family crave it. I wind up suing almost every bowl and dish to assemble; but smile the whole time washing them as I anticipate the cheesy goodness in the oven. Thanks

[@amandabrass6582]

I love Christie! She absolutely nailed this recipe!

[@cathyburns750]

Drooling all over my jammies! This is going into my recipe box to make over and over again! Thank you for sharing!

[@KLloydable]

As always, well-done ! Thank you for your diligence in creating the best dishes. This dish is a Best dish!

[@dgdigital2659]

I've made this lasagna twice now and shared it with friends and family, it got rave reviews from everyone, it is my favorite lasagna recipe ever because it's simple and hearty as it gets 👍

[@berniecelee5062]

Oh ...glad you made it and posted your verdict ! I will try next week cause its Fall and my bbq is packed away now.

[@Clg09]

Agreed... there are so many ways to make lasagna but this is one of the best...

[@lovingyourlifestyle6320]

This is a very good video. I make home spaghetti and I cook my sause slow for 3-4 hours. I added the italian season and bay leaf so you will get full flavor. I prepare all of my other ingredients, mushrooms, onion and lean ground beef in a large skillet. I cook the ground meat until it is no longer pink. I add meat to my sause and add some wine and let it simmer. I check on it to make sure is cooking slow and I taste to made sure it has reach its full flavor.

[@shaggydogg630]

I need just one week to hang out with y’all. What things I could learn in that time. I feel like I’m with family when I watch your videos.

[@rugfixr]

I love these culinary classes by these pro's!

[@tinataylor9486]

Made this today, perfect for a cold February day! Such wonderful flavor!

[@HogwartsTR]

I didn’t have all the ingredients for the cheesy part so I made mine with the basic meat sauce, lasagna noodles and mozzarella. For the top I made a Bechamel sauce and covered with mozz and parmesan. Turned out great!! Thanks for the recipe ❤

[@garybuchanan6062]

Alternate the direction of the pasta layers for maximum structural stability.

[@belindacoleman9662]

That looks delicious. Thanks for sharing.

[@sondog1983]

Love that beautiful clean oven!

[@idamcloughlin3731]

I love you guys, great recipes, I use nearly all regularly.

[@minniemouse773]

Looks delicious 😋 I wanna try this!!

[@foxyvonreddd4564]

This recipe is AMAZING!!

[@sondramiller9104]

I will be making this! It looked delicious!! Can’t wait to try. ♥️

[@gioarias75]

I made this a few times already & it came out good. But I did add a small step I added a cup of Merlot wine to the meat before I added the can of crush tomatoes & cook the sauce for 15 to 30min instead of 5mins.

[@darlenpelletier2606]

Made this for supper tonight I can’t wait to try it! ❤️

[@thehomeplatespecial597]

Great job, Christie Morrison. Hope to see her featured often along with all the regulars.

[@noracharles80]

What a great cook, ATK’s Christie! Looks so yummy!

[@dgdigital2659]

I have made this three times in the past two months..it's a huge hit with friends and family, I did substitute potato bread with white, and I added one extra slice total of three because the meat sauce wasn't enough the first time I made it, but I just wanted to let you know we are loving this quick and easyer lasagna recipe 👍

[@JacquelineBawden]

This is my go to lasagna, it’s the panade that I love, no yucky watery mess around the noodles the next day. I’ve made this for many dinner parties & birthdays & every single person go s back for seconds! Great job Christi.

[@hayleymanchios8908]

I just made this and it is amazing. I hate cottage cheese, but i love the mixture, so creamy,

[@johnboyd7158]

Just made this and I must say that I finally understand why GARFIELD called lasagna Nature's perfect food. Amazing and delicious. (Also, when I finished, my kitchen looked like ground zero of a collision with a whole foods and Williams and Sonoma! . )

[@TanyaP822]

This looks delicious must try..

[@amohammart]

its 2022 and I just saw this episode. I will be making this version for Thankssgiving this year. i love the panade!

[@STEVEARABIA1]

Def trying this soon.

[@jtking76]

YES! COTTAGE CHEESE RULES IN AMERICAN LASAGNA! I don't care what the purist say.

[@micuchua70]

I will make this lasagna for Sunday night. Thanks.

[@haggiefatigue2971]

When watching these two my husband and I always joke that they probably really hate each other, lol!

[@busterhymen2280]

I picked up on that vibe also lol

[@PastorJack1957]

I've spent 55 years cooking both professionally and for myself, family and friends. Secret. I've never made a lasagna! I'm headed to the store for ingredients to try it for the first time. I know the theory behind original lasagna, thanks for the speedy recipe.

[@davestelling]

Same, here...

[@scotts7017]

Awesome! I like to add spinach to the cheese sauce. I will tweak my method towards this one on my next one. I never make it the same way twice. Thanks girls!

[@dgdigital2659]

I added spinach to this one and it's perfect 👍

[@jusssayin480]

I guess I'm a traditionalist. Lasagna with beef shouldn't have spinach.

[@hurricanemaude795]

As an Italian, I use that similar kind of pasta, but I never put it in the boiling water, just in a pan (?) with the sauce and besciamella. If you boil the pasta for the lasagne you need to cook it and take it out of the water one by one and, one by one keep them separated otherwise they stick together. For the meat sauce: Deep fry some onion, one or two carrots, celery. Add the meat. When it becomes brown add some white wine and let evaporate it. Then, add the tomatoes and a bit of hot water. For a good Bolognese's Sauce let simmer for at least two hours. For the Besciamella: 50gr of butter, 50gr of flour, 1litre of milk, a pinch of salt and pepper and nutmeg, pecorino romano or grana padano or other cheese if you like... Melt the butter, add the flour slowly whisking it, add the milk slowly still whisking until it becomes smooth. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg and cheese. 💚❤️🇮🇹

[@reesiezanga5232]

My thoughts exactly. Hard to beat the classic lasagne bolognese

[@DannyPlass]

Three of my favorite words put together.

[@judithgeldhauser7778]

Looking forward to making AGAIN!! :o)

[@davidlindgren7605]

There would be more flavor if you added Oregano and Basil

[@hollym5873]

Love these recipes. thanks

[@karenmorris2949]

Loved this recipe. I will be using it this Christmas

[@misscndnwoman2177]

Btw you two cracked me up 😄😄😄 love you girls get as t job,I downloaded and saved and shared.🙏💓🌹

[@grannysweet]

Love these two ladies. Great video. I prefer to use uncooked regular lasagna noodles and cheese mixture, uncooked meat mix , veggies. Cover with foil and cook. meat and noodles cook while flavors bloom. Recipe on back of noodle box. ( adds liquid to bake noodles) dead easy.

[@JennyofOldStones713]

“Uncooked meat mix” 🥴🤢

[@alexanderpons9246]

Very good recipe and very delicious! The only thing I must mention is that its not cheap to make especially when it comes to the cheeses used as well as the lean ground beef but it is worth it.

[@sissi7746]

Absolutely amazing but a bit difficult to manage if you have physical limitations. I spread the recipe steps on two days but next time, I’ll do it on three days as I was exhausted when it was time to bake it. I did make a couple of changes, replacing the heavy cream by a lighter cooking cream (15%) and picking the fattest cottage cheese (5%) available in our Supermarket in an effort to compensate for the heavy cream. The result was so fantastic I’m sure to make it again. It makes a lot though. There are only two of us and my gentleman-friend is afraid to eat the same thing for the next five days. Can portions be frozen once cooked? Or else would it work if I split the recipe in two?

[@theonlybkb]

Late notice but Yes!! Absolutely you can freeze lasagna..it even adds a whole new "setting" factor for the ingredients to meld. Easy to reheat as well....portion serving sizes ahead of time that way you can pull out extra food for company!

[@nancylaws5659]

My husband loves this! The sauce isn’t so “tomatoey”...which gives him heartburn. He can eat this all day! (I sub in some of my own home-canned tomatoes).

[@kpierce93]

Ooh that’s good to know. I get heartburn too and might have to try this one.

[@semco72057]

Christie Morrison made the perfect lasagna and I have to remember to try making some like what she did and see how it taste. I have not made any in years and have to experiment again on making it and hope it turns out like her's. Julia must have enjoyed it so much and probably had a second serving ot it.

[@chutybutyful]

Made it last night. amazing! definitely a keeper. Not cheap though...

[@nilnil7325]

Christie's recipes are always top-notch. You should check out her chicken pot pie recipe. Everyone in my family loves it.

[@chutybutyful]

@@celak7482 For sure!

[@johnboyd7158]

No, it's not. Still not bad at all, when you calculate the cost per swerving. In addition, since it is so meaty, it's quite filling. I made this and fed 4 adults with plenty left over for another meal for 4. AND-, since I was focused on the recipe, I didn't serve any salad or dessert; just a little fresh bread. So good and so worth it.

[@davestelling]

I'm going to make this tomorrow for my Mom. Only exception; I'll use half Italian sausage, and half good ground beef. Will also add some Italian parsley. I might also use ricotta. All these good ingredients, it's gotta be good... (!)

[@MR-of9dx]

That would change this recipe totally to the point why follow it ?

[@BabylonMister]

what season is this?

[@itzkatsawayo]

This is my go-to lasagna recipe. I've done the full-blown lasagna. This is better all-around.

[@mslmg27]

Just made this today and it is the truth!❤️🙌🏾

[@jasonpawlicki1360]

Did anyone find the white sauce with the proportions in the video turned out too liquidy? I just mixed it up and it's more fit to be poured than dalloped. I feel like I need to strain it before it goes in the pan.

[@vynz0789]

+1 for Julia's collar being down!

[@MrCaine6969]

Can you cook ground beef in a crock pot?

[@mollymollie6048]

I was really thinking this was going to be dry...this looks fabulous. I also love using cottage cheese instead of ricotta as well.

[@MommaT1970]

No Italian seasonings? No basil?

[@charliemay9893]

I'm seriously requesting you send a pan to my house! Please 🙏

[@dinocardamone9586]

Darn I'm hungry. ATK is the best. Total quality.

[@wookie4798]

Didn't we see this 2 weeks ago? Did KZbin pull down your video??

[@tony_25or6to4]

I thought it was a couple of months ago. Exactly the same video.

[@lukasky03]

So much snobbery and ignorance in these comments. There is no one version of lasagna just as there was no one Italy until the mid1800s. Every region has a different take on the dish. And yes Italian American immigrants often substituted cottage cheese when ricotta wasn’t available here in America and those versions were handed down over time. So just stop with your holier than thou attitudes.

[@prejzki]

My brother makes a soupy, saucy, tomato-y, ricotta lasagna that I love, but my husband has been seeking the lasagna of his youth (somewhere in the 1950's Bronx), and finally says this one does the trick. We both love it, and it's easy!

[@davidreali9642]

Lol we used ricotta not cottadge cheese u got that backwards

[@elephantgrass631]

@@davidreali9642 That’s literally what the dude just said.

[@mddell58]

Yes! My family (in the midwest) began using cottage cheese around 1986. It's very delicious, & a little more affordable, too. 👍🏻 I highly doubt we'll start using ricotta any time soon. ❤

[@pcb462]

Love this recipe. I use the meat sauce as a base and add a few extra things like bell peppers and celery. But the white sauce as she makes it makes this lasagna shine.

[@Donar23]

When I make Bolognese I usually make the real deal, and much more than I actually need. I eat it with spaghetti and freeze the rest in portions. When I want a great lasagna, I just have to make a Bechamel (which is rather quick) and unfreeze some Bolognese. I basically have everything here to make lasagna as a midnight snack, if I wanted to do that :D

[@lejosdelarealidad1374]

Great idea! :)

[@passiveagressive4983]

Donar I do exactly the same. I always have Bol. Sauce in my freezer as I double up every time I cook some. Easy!

[@angelavitulli6994]

Yummy 😋

[@joshuapeterson6072]

Christie and Julie make cooking report no chore.

[@williamking8033]

I like your idea of using cottage cheese, garlic, and grated Romano instead of Riccota.

[@pcb462]

Love this recipe. Pecorino Romano is a very underused cheese in my opinion.

[@davidlindgren7605]

and cheaper than parmesan, too!

[@neilaltschuler6064]

How about chopped mushrooms for moisture?

[@johnhobson9165]

I think I shall stick with my bolognese.

[@lisagonzales7419]

Can you use Ricotta and cottage cheese together??

[@mdawn74]

I follow this recipe to the “T” and I always have leftover meat sauce with 4 layers, so I add 1 more layer, then I’m able to have a top layer for the rest of the cheese sauce. #Not going back to other lasagna recipes.

[@gilbertgonzalez7561]

That hot! My favorite dish.

[@tony_25or6to4]

Is this a repost? I swear I saw this a few months ago.

[@suzannetaylor6285]

My family’s favorite lasagna, especially for my sons who really dislike Ricotta

[@LaSopRAWna]

that really looked like it needed some more sauce!

[@RandemNJ]

No it didnt......it was fine.

[@jillsmith633]

@@RandemNJ Nah, needed more sauce. Totally.

[@cisium1184]

"We want this lasagna to be meat-forward." Who's this "we"? I wasn't consulted. And of course the result a proddy-assed Hamburger Helper disaster.

[@donnasmith3969]

@@jillsmith633 It did need more sauce. Looked too dry.

[@horseshoe_nc]

After while crocodile. 😜 That does look delicious.

[@leepreeitt8603]

Can’t wait to Ty.

[@av8153]

That's how I've made my lasagna white component for decades ( cottage cheese base ) : except I also add cream cheese and more Italian cheeses , flour instead of cornstarch , and an egg to help it set up .

[@DKWalser]

Other than that, it's exactly the same...

[@nancyb1243]

Wow! I made this today. It’s the best lasagna I’ve ever made (so says my family, too). And I’ve made lasagna for 40 years with varying degrees of success. The recipe “on the box” is usually mediocre at best. Thanks for your expertise and explanations of why you use certain ingredients (like cottage cheese which is brilliant). ❤️

[@brandihasty2405]

I missed how much mozzarella you need

[@hafeezurrehman611]

I have made this

[@judlol5074]

My family like more tomato flavor and more italian flavor. Next time I will try using well-drained Italian sausage instead of ground beef and a cup of marinera and maybe skip the bottom layer of noodles. What they did was ladel a bit of marinera to their plate. The only thing I did not like was the cleanup. But in general, Americas's Test Kitrchen does not get great ratings from me on "ease of cleanup" (then, they have people).

[@misscndnwoman2177]

Beautiful 🌹🙏

[@RockeyToes]

Looks delicious! So no nutmeg in the béchamel sauce?

[@davestelling]

Yes, nutmeg - always!

[@RockeyToes]

@@davestelling Just a touch of freshly-graded nutmeg makes a difference!

[@findingmeagain1674]

This thumbnail 😂🤣😂😂

[@Charlie-pk6lj]

Why not add 1 egg to the meat making the meat moister

[@Phoenix85006]

Uh-oh, I thought she was going to "throw down" at 4:14 😠😂

[@victormolina6666]

These women have food science down to the fucking teet. Fascinating...

[@SilverCharmbracelet]

Does Christie remind anyone else of Sookie St. James from Gilmore Girls?

[@passiveagressive4983]

I can concur that cottage cheese works! Don’t idk but it just does!

[@lauraecarrera7322]

I really like your show and the recipes, kitchen product ratings, tastings and advice! The only issue for me is that many dishes take a long time to cook and prepare and many times in the kitchen we want good recipes with a small number of ingredients and faster cooking time... could you please try that?

[@FLLOVERUSA]

I live in USA and made Lasagna several times to a almost perfect dish. But I am visiting my family in India and I cannot find the ingredients that I need to make this dish. I feel so bad because I want my family to taste this lasagna dish so bad.

[@alexisdix6704]

Why pecorino instead of parmesan?

[@tony_25or6to4]

I like pecorino better. It's sharper. I think parmesan would get lost.

[@kemwittalltree9650]

Gimme sum a dat!

[@soudabehtazh7296]

💖💖💖

[@SuperWoodyboy]

I just watch to see beautiful Julie and Bridget!!!!!!

[@johng8330]

Mozz? Then why wasn't it CotCh, and Parm?

[@davidsmall8267]

Is the mozzarella low moisture, whole fat, or what?

[@tbac2432]

I will agree the the whole milk ricotta does get kind of sandy when cooked. So I use part skim milk ricotta and would never use cottage cheese. I also do not use noodles I use macaroni and whole milk Mozzarella.

[@rudeboymon3177]

Cue angry Italians in 3...2...1...

[@rudeboymon3177]

@Straight Razor Daddy thats what i live for. Even if they really butcher the recipe 😆

[@charliemay9893]

Yup mom uses cottage cheese. I won't touch any lasagna with ricotta cheese

[@inquisitor4635]

remove the crust from the bread before you mix it, as the crust leaves chunks that are difficult to incorporate evenly

[@macaronipop]

Hi alligator! Mike