Ultimate Pizza Lasagna Recipe: A Family Favorite with a Twist
Cooking is more than just preparing food; it’s a journey through personal and family history, a way to connect with cherished memories and create new ones. This pizza lasagna is a vibrant and incredibly fun update on my family’s traditional lasagna recipe, and I’m absolutely thrilled to share this innovative twist with you today.
A Culinary Legacy: From Traditional to Pizza Perfection
My foundational understanding of lasagna comes from years of observing my mom in the kitchen. It wasn’t a formal lesson; rather, I absorbed her culinary wisdom through osmosis. From a very young age, I watched her meticulously prepare each ingredient, arranging them with care before layering them all into her treasured, vintage casserole dish. She would then carefully place the entire creation into the oven, allowing it to simmer and meld into something far greater than the sum of its individual parts – a true testament to her love and skill.
Over time, I gradually took on different tasks in the lasagna preparation, slowly building my confidence and expertise until I was finally deemed ready to be entrusted with its careful preparation from start to finish. The first time I successfully made our family’s entire lasagna recipe and served it to my eager family, it felt like a significant right of passage, a moment where I truly stepped into my own as a cook, honoring a delicious family legacy.
Introducing the Pizza Lasagna: A Chicago-Inspired Delight
This unique pizza lasagna is a delicious homage, inspired by both my family’s classic lasagna recipe and my more recent culinary adventures in Chicago. The deep-dish pizzas there are legendary – packed with savory ground meat, rich, flavorful sauce, and incredibly generous fistfuls of gooey cheese. I wanted to capture that indulgent spirit and infuse it into the comforting layers of a traditional lasagna, creating a dish that truly offers the best of both worlds: the hearty satisfaction of lasagna combined with the exciting flavors of a classic pizza.
The Secret to Homemade Flavor: Ragu Homestyle Sauce
To achieve that authentic, comforting flavor in this pizza lasagna, I chose Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Pasta Sauce. This sauce stands out because its fresh ingredients, wonderfully thick texture, and delicious flavor genuinely remind me of the homemade sauce my mom lovingly prepared for our family pasta dishes. For me, “Homestyle” isn’t just a label; it represents food made with care and affection, but more importantly, it signifies meals savored and enjoyed together as a family. It’s about bringing that warmth and tradition to every bite, making it the perfect foundation for our pizza lasagna.
This recipe is truly simmered in tradition, yet infused with an exciting modern twist. My greatest hope is that you and your loved ones are able to gather around the table and enjoy this delightful pizza lasagna, creating your own cherished memories just as my family and I do.
How to Make Pizza Lasagna: A Step-by-Step Guide
First, gather your ingredients:
- 1 (23 oz) jar Ragu Homestyle Thick & Hearty Traditional Pasta Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner recommended)
- 1 lb cheddar cheese, freshly shredded (for best melt)
- 1 package (approx. 500g) oven-ready lasagna noodles
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices (mini pepperonis work great too!)
- 1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, roughly chopped
Pro Tip for Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles: Soak Them!
I’ve heard friends express frustration with oven-ready lasagna noodles, complaining they can sometimes be a bit tough or dry. But I have a secret trick that guarantees soft, perfectly cooked noodles every time: soak them before layering into the lasagna! I know, the package directions rarely mention this (and they absolutely should!), but this simple step is the key to ensuring your noodles are tender and integrate beautifully into the dish. You can place the lasagna noodles in a large bowl of warm water to soak while you prepare the beef, or even directly in your casserole dish and just drain the water when you’re ready to assemble. This small extra step makes a world of difference!
Begin by cooking the ground beef in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add about 1/2 cup of the Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce directly to the pan with the beef. Use a spatula to break up the meat into fine crumbles and stir it regularly. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned and cooked through, which typically takes about 7 minutes. The sauce helps to infuse flavor into the meat from the start.
NOTE: If you opt to use ground beef that has a higher fat content (like 80/20 instead of 90/10 lean), it’s highly recommended that you cook the beef first, drain any excess fat thoroughly, and then add the Ragu sauce to ensure your lasagna isn’t greasy.
Once your noodles have soaked sufficiently, drain them well. Now, it’s time to start assembling your masterpiece! Lay a single, even layer of the softened lasagna noodles across the bottom of your casserole dish. It’s helpful to have all your other ingredients measured and ready to go at this point to ensure a smooth and quick layering process.
Next, take about 1/2 cup of the creamy ricotta cheese and gently spread it evenly over the layer of lasagna noodles using a spoon or spatula. This forms a wonderfully rich and foundational layer for our pizza lasagna.
Now for the “pizza” part! Generously add several slices of pepperoni over the ricotta layer. You can arrange them neatly in rows or scatter them for a more rustic look. This is where you really start to see (and taste!) why this dish is called “pizza lasagna” – that classic pepperoni flavor is essential!
Carefully spread the cooked ground beef mixture in an even layer over the pepperoni and ricotta cheese. If your beef was on the fattier side, remember to drain any residual fat on paper towels before adding it to the lasagna layers to prevent an oily finish.
Top this meaty layer with approximately half a jar of the remaining Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce. Use your spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the sauce evenly across the entire surface. This ensures every bite is infused with that rich tomato flavor.
Now, spread another 1 cup of ricotta cheese and a truly generous layer of your freshly shredded cheddar cheese over the sauce. Cheese is key to any good pizza and any good lasagna! Follow this with another layer of the soaked lasagna noodles.
Next up is our vibrant vegetable layer, adding both flavor and nutrition. Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese thinly over the noodles, then cover generously with the fresh spinach and finely chopped red bell peppers. For an extra boost of flavor and a slightly softer texture, I often lightly sauté my peppers before adding them to the lasagna. This step is optional but highly recommended!
(Feel free to customize this layer with your favorite pizza toppings! Mushrooms, onions, black olives, or even a different type of bell pepper would all be fantastic additions. I personally love the combination of spinach, red peppers, and pepperoni on my pizza!)
Once your vegetables are in place, sprinkle another layer of shredded cheese over them. This helps to secure the vegetables and adds another dimension of cheesy goodness. Finish with your final layer of pasta noodles.
For the grand finale before baking, top your lasagna with a final, truly generous handful of shredded cheese, a scattering of extra pepperoni slices, and a colorful sprinkle of any leftover diced red peppers. This top layer will bake into a beautiful, golden-brown crust.
Cover the casserole dish tightly with tinfoil to ensure even cooking and to prevent the top from browning too quickly. Bake your pizza lasagna in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the tinfoil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly, golden, and irresistible. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
The Importance of Resting Your Lasagna
Once baked to perfection, remove the lasagna from the oven. This is crucial: let the lasagna rest for at least 5 to 10 minutes before attempting to cut into pieces. This resting period allows the layers to set and the cheese to firm up slightly, ensuring that your slices hold together beautifully and don’t fall apart when served. Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to perfectly portioned lasagna!
This pizza lasagna is a complete meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a fresh green salad or some warm garlic bread to sop up all that delicious sauce. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner, a potluck, or any occasion where you want to impress with a comforting and creative dish.
For more fantastic and easy-to-make recipes that your family will absolutely adore, be sure to check out the full collection of delicious Ragu Homestyle recipes!
Pizza Lasagna
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 23 oz jar Ragu Homestyle
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb cheddar cheese shredded
- 500 g package oven-ready lasagna noodles
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 2 cups spinach
Before You Begin
Instructions
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Place lasagna noodles in water to soak. Set aside.
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Meanwhile, cook ground beef in a frying pan over medium heat with 1/2 cup Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 7 minutes.
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Drain lasagna noodles and add a single layer to the bottom of your casserole dish.
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Spread 1/2 cup ricotta cheese on top of the noodles. Add several pieces of pepperoni – you can even layer it in rows.
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Spread beef in an even layer overtop of the cheese, and then top with half a jar of the Ragu Homestyle pasta sauce.
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Spread 1 cup ricotta cheese and a generous layer of shredded cheddar. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles.
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Next is the vegetable layer. Spread 1/2 cup ricotta cheese and then cover with spinach and chopped peppers. I lightly sauteed my peppers before adding them to the lasagna.
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Sprinkle cheese overtop of the vegetables and top with a final layer of pasta noodles.
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Top with final handfuls of cheese, pepperoni, and a sprinkle of the red peppers.
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Cover with tinfoil and bake at 375F for 45 minutes.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
So, tell me, do you have a cherished family meal that could use a delicious and modern update? Share your thoughts and culinary adventures in the comments below!