Argentine Lasagna

Name: Argentine Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 12 servings.
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 1 large sweet onion, chopped; 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce; 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce; 1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese; 2-1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed; 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry; 1 package (9 ounces) no-cook lasagna noodles; Fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese, optional

My family is from Argentina, which has a strong Italian heritage and large cattle ranches. This all-in-one lasagna is packed with meat, cheese and veggies. —Sylvia Maenenr, Omaha, Nebraska

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2-1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1 package (9 ounces) no-cook lasagna noodles
Fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, onion, mushrooms and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, pepper and 2 cups mozzarella cheese; set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the Alfredo sauce, ricotta cheese, peas and spinach.
Spread 1 cup meat sauce into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with four noodles, 1-1/4 cups meat sauce and 1-1/4 cups spinach mixture. Repeat layers three times. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese. (Pan will be full.)
Cover and bake at 350° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting. Garnish with basil and serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece (calculated without Parmesan cheese): 406 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 598mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g protein.

Originally published as Argentine Lasagna in Easy Ground Beef Recipe Cards 2013