Hunt's Classic Beef Lasagna

Ingredients

• PAM Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
• 1.5 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
• 0.33 cups water , divided
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian , flat-leaf
• 0.5 teaspoons ground black pepper , divided
• 1.5 pounds ground chuck beef , 80% lean
• 0.75 cups chopped yellow onion
• 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
• 2 , 14.5 ounce
• 2.5 cups Hunt's Tomato Sauce
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 0.25 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 9 drys lasagna noodles , uncooked
• 2.5 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.

2. 2

   Stir together ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons water, parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl until well combined; set aside.

3. 3

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beef and onion; sprinkle with Italian seasoning, salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook and stir until beef is crumbly and no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Drain excess grease.

4. 4

   Add remaining water, undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Reduce heat and simmer meat sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

5. 5

   Assemble lasagna by spreading about 1 cup meat sauce over the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place 3 dry noodles over sauce. Top with 2 cups meat sauce, 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a layer of noodles. Top with remaining meat sauce, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

6. 6

   Spray the underside of an aluminum foil sheet with cooking spray; cover the dish tightly with the prepared foil.

7. 7

   Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese melts and sauce is bubbly, about 15 more minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.