Ingredients
2medium eggplants,cut into ½-inch slices
2tbspolive oil,or more, as needed
1lblean ground beef
22ozmarinara sauce,(1 jar)
1egg
16ozricotta cheese
1½cupsparmesan cheese,grated
2cupsmozzarella cheese,shredded
½tspItalian seasoning
½tspgarlic powder
salt & pepper,to taste
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice the eggplant into half-inch slices lengthwise. Place the slices on a large baking sheet and generously season both sides with salt. Let them sit for 20 minutes (the bitter juices will release for better taste and a less watery lasagna).
Meanwhile, start prepping the other ingredients. Add the beef to a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until browned (about 8 minutes). Stir in the marinara sauce and heat through.
Add the egg (beat it before adding other ingredients), ricotta, 1 cup of the parmesan, 1½ cups of the mozzarella, the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and some salt & pepper to a bowl and combine until smooth.
Once the eggplant is done sweating, pat it dry with paper towels. Brush each piece with olive oil on both sides. Roast for 20 minutes.
Add a layer of the marinara sauce/beef to the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, followed by a layer of eggplant. Then, add the ricotta cheese layer, more eggplant, another ricotta layer, a marinara layer, and then the rest of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses sprinkled over top.
Lower the oven heat to 350 degrees F and bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Finish it off by broiling for 5 minutes or until the cheese is nicely browned.
Let the lasagna sit for 10 minutes prior to serving.
