Description
This Haunted Lasagna recipe is a spooky twist on the classic Italian favorite, perfect for Halloween gatherings. Layers of tender lasagna noodles, savory ground meat in marinara sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese come together to create a deliciously comforting dish. The top is decorated with ricotta shaped like ghosts and black olive slices as their eyes, adding a fun and festive touch to your meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Components
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Italian seasoning, to taste
Decorations
- Sliced black olives (for “eyes”)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until fully browned. Drain excess fat if needed, then stir in the marinara sauce. Season the meat sauce with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to your taste.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, salt, and a pinch of Italian seasoning. Mix well until smooth.
- Layer the Lasagna: In a baking dish, start layering by spreading a layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Then add a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and spoonfuls of the ricotta mixture. Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Create Ghost Shapes: Using a spoon, dollop the remaining ricotta mixture onto the surface of the lasagna in ghost-like shapes. Place sliced black olives on each ghost to create ‘eyes’ for a fun spooky effect.
- Bake: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, then bake the dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Bake until the lasagna is bubbly and the top is lightly golden brown.
Notes
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente before layering.
- You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set and make slicing easier.
- For extra flavor, add fresh basil or oregano to the meat sauce.
- Use whole milk ricotta for creamier texture.
