The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is known for her comforting, family-friendly recipes, and her lasagna is no exception. As a parent always on the lookout for dishes that please both kids and adults, I was eager to try her lasagna recipe from her cookbook aimed at young cooks. Bringing my own little sous chef into the kitchen, we embarked on making this dish together. While I wouldn’t declare it the most sophisticated lasagna I’ve ever tasted, it was undeniably delicious and a resounding success with all the children at my dinner table. If your family, like mine, appreciates a lasagna that’s generously filled with meat and cheese, then this Pioneer Woman lasagna recipe is bound to become a new favorite.
For a more refined adult palate, a touch more garlic, basil, and parsley—perhaps even some onions—would elevate this dish further. However, keeping in mind that this recipe originates from a children’s cookbook, Ree Drummond has masterfully created a lasagna that perfectly caters to her intended young audience. It’s all about those classic, comforting flavors that kids adore.
In crafting the sauce, I opted for canned whole tomatoes, complete with their juices. A quick pulse in the food processor transformed them into a robust, thick ragu boasting a deep, authentic tomato taste. The recipe provides flexibility when it comes to the sausage, not specifying links, patties, or ground meat. I chose sausage links, as they were readily available. Slicing them into small medallions, I found that they introduced a pleasant textural variation to the lasagna.
The layering process was executed flawlessly. There was an ample amount of filling, ensuring each bite was packed with flavor, yet not so much that the lasagna devolved into an overly sauced, messy affair – a common pitfall with many lasagna recipes.
This Pioneer Woman lasagna is a straightforward yet incredibly satisfying dish. My kids have already put in their request for a repeat performance, which, in my book, makes this recipe a definite keeper.
