Cheesy Lasagna Pie (Printer-Friendly)
Hearty lasagna baked in a flakey pie crust with rich meat sauce and gooey melted cheese layers.
# What You'll Need:
→ Crust
01 - 1 sheet refrigerated 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
→ Meat Sauce
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 pound ground beef (Italian sausage or plant-based alternative)
04 - 1 small onion, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Cheese and Filling
09 - 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
12 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out the pie crust and press it into a 9-inch pie dish. Trim any overhang and flute the edges. Prick the bottom lightly with a fork to prevent bubbling. Set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
03 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat.
04 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth and well incorporated.
05 - Spread half of the meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared crust. Dollop the ricotta mixture over the sauce and gently spread into an even layer. Top with the remaining meat sauce, then sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella over the surface.
06 - Loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
07 - Allow the pie to cool for 10 minutes before slicing to set the layers. Serve warm, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This dish gives you all the comfort of lasagna without the endless pasta boiling and careful noodle placement.
- The flaky pie crust adds a buttery crunch that regular lasagna noodles never could.
- It reheats like a dream, making it the best leftover lunch you will have all week.
02 -
- Skipping the resting time guarantees a soupy slice that collapses the moment your spatula touches it, so be patient and let those layers set.
- Blind baking the crust for five minutes before assembling makes a dramatic difference in preventing a soggy bottom.
03 -
- Doling the ricotta mixture in spoonfuls and then gently spreading it prevents you from dragging the meat sauce layer up into the cheese where it does not belong.
- Shredding your own mozzarella from a block instead of buying pre shredded bags gives you a smoother, more luxurious melt every single time.