Ree Drummond, the beloved Pioneer Woman, has built a culinary empire on approachable, delicious recipes that resonate with home cooks everywhere. From her hit TV show to her bestselling cookbooks and vibrant online presence, Ree’s recipes are synonymous with comfort food and family-friendly meals. While she’s known for a wide range of dishes, revisiting her early recipes offers a glimpse into the foundations of her success. One such recipe, dating back to the early days of her blog, is “The Best Lasagna. Ever,” a dish that offers a unique, Pioneer Woman twist on classic Italian-American comfort food. Let’s dive into this recipe and explore how it delivers on flavor and ease, with a focus on its rich, Bolognese-style meat sauce.
Pioneer Woman Lasagna Recipe: Unpacking the Ingredients
Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond Lasagna Recipe
Ree Drummond’s lasagna recipe stands out for its accessible ingredients, a hallmark of her cooking philosophy. She emphasizes that you don’t need gourmet items to create exceptional flavor. This recipe is designed for everyday cooks using readily available ingredients from any local grocery store. This approach makes it incredibly appealing for busy families and those seeking a comforting, satisfying meal without complicated shopping trips.
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Lasagna
- 1-1/2 pounds ground beef: The hearty base of our Bolognese-style sauce.
- 1 pound hot breakfast sausage: Adding a touch of spice and unique flavor dimension to the meat mixture, differentiating it from traditional Bolognese.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Aromatic foundation for the sauce.
- 2 (14-1/2-ounce) cans whole tomatoes: The core of the tomato sauce, providing rich, juicy flavor.
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste: Concentrating the tomato flavor and adding depth to the sauce.
- ¼ cup dried parsley, divided: Herbaceousness for both the sauce and cheese filling.
- 2 tablespoons dried basil: Classic Italian herb complementing the tomato and meat flavors in this Bolognese-inspired dish.
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided: Essential seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
- 3 cups low-fat cottage cheese: A creamy, lighter alternative to ricotta cheese in the filling.
- 2 eggs, beaten: Binding agent for the cottage cheese filling.
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Ree specifies Kraft, a convenient pantry staple, for a readily available cheesy element.
- 1 pound sliced mozzarella: Classic melty cheese for that gooey lasagna texture.
- 1 10-ounce box lasagna noodles: The foundation of our layered masterpiece.
Essential Kitchen Tools
Round Dutch Oven kitchen wedding gifts
For making the Bolognese-style sauce, a Dutch Oven or a large, deep skillet is ideal for browning the meat and simmering the sauce.
Pyrex Glass Baking Cover Pyrex
A Casserole Dish (9×13 inch) is perfect for layering and baking the lasagna.
Gir Spatula Ecomm A Silicone Spatula is helpful for stirring the sauce and spreading the cheese filling.
First Thoughts: Pioneer Woman’s Unique Lasagna Approach
Upon reviewing the ingredient list, some might notice deviations from traditional lasagna recipes. The use of cottage cheese instead of ricotta, breakfast sausage instead of Italian sausage, and Kraft Parmesan instead of freshly grated might raise eyebrows among culinary purists. However, Ree Drummond’s recipes are all about approachable, flavorful food for real families. Her choices often prioritize ease and readily available ingredients without sacrificing taste. This lasagna embodies that philosophy, promising a comforting and satisfying dish, even with its unconventional twists.
Crafting the Bolognese-Style Meat Sauce
cooking tomato sauce on stove for pioneer woman lasagna
The heart of any great lasagna is its sauce, and Pioneer Woman’s recipe features a robust, Bolognese-style meat sauce that is both simple to make and deeply flavorful. The first step involves browning the ground beef and hot breakfast sausage with minced garlic. This combination of meats creates a rich and slightly spicy base for the sauce, deviating from a classic Bolognese which typically uses pancetta, beef, and sometimes pork. Draining off some of the grease after browning is a practical step, ensuring the lasagna isn’t overly heavy.
Next, the recipe incorporates canned whole tomatoes and tomato paste. The whole tomatoes provide a bright, fresh tomato flavor, while the tomato paste concentrates the richness and umami of the sauce. Dried parsley and basil are stirred in, adding classic Italian herb notes to complement the tomato and meat. The sauce then simmers for 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen as the tomatoes break down, creating a hearty and flavorful Bolognese-inspired sauce. This simmering process is key to developing a complex flavor profile, even with simple ingredients.
Assembling the Layers: Noodles and Cottage Cheese Filling
cheese filling in mixing bowl for pioneer woman lasagna
While the sauce simmers, it’s time to prepare the lasagna noodles and the unique cottage cheese filling. Cooking the lasagna noodles to al dente is crucial, as they will continue to cook in the oven and you want to avoid them becoming mushy. Remember to season the pasta water with salt – this simple step significantly enhances the flavor of the noodles themselves.
The filling is where Pioneer Woman’s recipe truly diverges from traditional lasagna. Instead of ricotta cheese, it uses cottage cheese, blended with eggs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt. Cottage cheese offers a lighter texture and tangy flavor compared to ricotta. Ree Drummond assures that the cottage cheese flavor becomes subtle in the final dish, primarily contributing to a creamy texture. The addition of eggs binds the mixture, while Parmesan cheese adds a salty, savory note. This filling provides a lighter, tangier counterpoint to the rich meat sauce.
Layering and Baking the Pioneer Woman Lasagna
Assembling the lasagna is a straightforward process of layering the components in a 9×13 inch pan. Start with a base of lasagna noodles, followed by half of the cottage cheese mixture, then half of the mozzarella slices, and finally half of the Bolognese-style meat sauce. Repeat these layers, finishing with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top.
This layered construction ensures every bite contains a balance of noodles, creamy filling, melted mozzarella, and flavorful meat sauce. The final sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a browned, crispy top layer after baking. The lasagna is then baked in a 350°F oven for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly and heated through, and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Taste Verdict: Comfort and Flavor in Every Bite
Slice of Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond Lasagna
The Pioneer Woman Bolognese Sauce Lasagna delivers on its promise of comforting, satisfying flavor. While it may not be a strictly traditional Italian lasagna, it offers a delicious and approachable take on this classic dish. The cottage cheese filling, as Ree predicted, melts into a creamy, unidentifiable layer, adding a pleasant texture without overpowering the other flavors. The mozzarella provides the expected gooey, cheesy pull, and the Bolognese-style meat sauce is undeniably hearty and flavorful.
The hot breakfast sausage adds a subtle kick and depth that elevates the meat sauce beyond a simple ground beef sauce. While the Kraft Parmesan offers convenience, using freshly grated Parmesan for topping could further enhance the nutty, savory notes. Overall, this lasagna is a crowd-pleasing comfort food dish, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Its ease of preparation and readily available ingredients make it a winner for home cooks of all skill levels. Paired with a simple side salad, it’s a complete and satisfying meal.
Explore More Pioneer Woman Recipes
Pioneer Woman Cooks Fantastic Favorites Ecomm
For more delicious and approachable recipes like this lasagna, explore Ree Drummond’s cookbooks, such as The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier.
Pioneer Woman Cooks Scrumptious Recipes Ecomm
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It! offers even more family-friendly meal ideas.
Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinnertime 16 Minute Ecomm
For quick and easy weeknight dinners, check out The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime. Ree Drummond’s culinary creations continue to inspire home cooks to create delicious meals with ease and joy.
