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Spooky Halloween Lasagna

This Halloween-themed lasagna features layered pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and seared ground beef, baked until bubbling and golden. Its playful, eerie appearance is achieved through layered ingredients, creating a final dish with a gooey, crispy top and tender noodles. Perfect for festive gatherings, it combines familiar flavors with a mischievous twist.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Halloween
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or veggie crumble
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 24 oz tomato sauce preferably deep roasted flavor
  • 9 noodles lasagna noodles no-boil preferred
  • 15 oz mozzarella cheese shredded, or smoked for extra flavor
  • 1 cup ricotta cheese or mascarpone for extra creaminess
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin preferred
  • 1 teaspoon basil dried or fresh, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • pinch cayenne pepper for a spicy surprise

Equipment

  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Cooking spoon & spatula
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, searing until browned and slightly crispy, about 8 minutes. Break it apart with your spatula as it cooks.
  2. Add minced garlic, basil, oregano, and a pinch of cayenne to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant and the mixture turns aromatic.
  3. Pour in the tomato sauce, stirring well, and let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
  4. Meanwhile, combine ricotta cheese with a pinch of salt and freshly grated pepper in a bowl; set aside.
  5. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of your baking dish to prevent sticking.
  6. Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them for a seamless look.
  7. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon.
  8. Spoon half of the meat sauce evenly over the ricotta layer, then sprinkle with a generous handful of shredded mozzarella cheese.
  9. Repeat the layering: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella until all ingredients are used, ending with a top layer of mozzarella cheese.
  10. Cover the assembled lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, until the edges are bubbling.
  11. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top. Keep an eye on it; the cheese should turn a beautiful caramelized color.
  12. Once done, test the tenderness of the noodles with a fork and ensure the cheese is bubbling and golden around the edges. Let it rest for 10 minutes to set the layers before slicing.

Notes

Feel free to add some chopped olives or black pepper for extra flavor. For a spooky touch, you can carve ghost shapes into the cheese before baking or sprinkle black sesame seeds for eyes.