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Spooky Halloween Lasagna

This messy, fun lasagna combines smoky ground beef, creamy ricotta, and bubbly mozzarella layers, all topped with black olives for a spooky effect. The dish is baked until golden and bubbling, offering a satisfying texture with a playful Halloween twist. It’s a flavorful, forgiving recipe perfect for celebrating the season with chaos and joy.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb ground beef smoky flavor preferred
  • 12 oz pasta sheets no-boil or regular
  • 15 oz tomato sauce rich and tangy
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice brightens ricotta
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella bubbly and stretchy
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced for spooky effect
  • 1 tbsp olive oil for sautéing

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large pot
  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Sharp Knife

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Cook the pasta sheets in boiling salted water until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes, filling the kitchen with a savory aroma.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, season with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and releases a rich, savory smell.
  6. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with chopped basil and a squeeze of lemon juice, mixing until smooth and fragrant.
  7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of your baking dish. Add a layer of pasta sheets, then spread some ricotta mixture over the pasta.
  8. Repeat the layering: meat sauce, pasta, ricotta, until all ingredients are used, finishing with a top layer of meat sauce.
  9. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, then decorate with sliced black olives for a spooky effect.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, until bubbling and golden on top. The aroma of melted cheese should fill your kitchen.
  11. Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes. This helps the slices hold together when serving.
  12. Slice into generous squares, serve hot, and enjoy the cheesy, smoky flavors with a fun Halloween twist!

Notes

For an extra spooky touch, add more olives or roasted peppers on top before baking. Resting the lasagna is key to clean slices, so don’t skip that step.