Name: Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 medium onion diced; 1 pound ground chuck; 1 pound ground pork; 5 cloves garlic minced; 1/2 teaspoon crushed hot red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 2 28-ounce cans plum tomatoes hand crushed or blender pulsed; salt and pepper to taste; 5 basil leaves chopped; 1 pound mafaldine pasta or broken lasagna noodles; 4 cups meat sauce from above; 3 large eggs beaten; 1 teaspoon coarse cracked black pepper; 3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano; 1 cup ricotta; 3 cups shredded mozzarella divided; 3 tablespoons chopped basil; 3 tablespoons minced flat leaf Italian parsley; 3 tablespoons olive oil

There’s something so comforting about a dish that feels like a big warm hug on a plate. This Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe combines hearty meat sauce, tender pasta, and gooey cheese into a show-stopping pie that’s perfect for sharing. Trust me, it’s a game-changer when family dinner calls for something both cozy and impressive.

A close-up of a baked pasta dish with wavy lasagna noodles layered with a red meat sauce and melted golden cheese on top, showing some browned, crispy spots. The pasta is fully covered in cheese and sauce, with bits of fresh green basil leaves sprinkled on top. The dish is served in a dark skillet placed on a wooden surface, next to a large wedge of cheese, a metal grater, and a small bunch of fresh basil, all set on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made countless lasagnas, but this pie version quickly became my favorite. It’s like lasagna got an upgrade: less fuss, a crisp bottom, and layers you can slice like a pizza. Every time I serve it, people are thrilled—and it keeps so well!

Easy to Share: This pie shape means everyone's got a perfect slice with all the layers intact—no messy spooning.
Rich Meat Sauce: The combination of ground chuck and pork with a splash of white wine brings deep, savory flavor every bite.
Textural Contrast: The crispy bottom and melty top mozzarella create a delightful mix of textures you’ll crave.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare it ahead, refrigerate, and bake when ready—perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe carefully balances savory meats with fresh herbs, smooth cheeses, and pasta that holds up beautifully. Each ingredient plays a part, making sure your lasagna pie isn’t just tasty but perfectly textured.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl with golden olive oil, a whole medium onion with smooth golden-brown skin, a portion of fresh ground chuck beef with deep red color, fresh ground pork with a light pink hue, five plump garlic cloves with papery white skins, a small white bowl of crushed red pepper flakes in vibrant red, a small white bowl of dry white wine with a pale straw color, two whole bright red plum tomatoes, fresh green basil leaves, a neat bundle of uncooked mafaldine pasta with ruffled edges and a pale yellow color, three whole large eggs with clean white shells, a small white bowl with a mound of grated Pecorino Romano cheese in off-white, a small white bowl filled with creamy white ricotta cheese, a small white bowl heaped with shredded mozzarella cheese in pure white, fresh sprigs of flat leaf Italian parsley in rich green, fresh green chopped basil leaves, and a small white bowl containing coarse cracked black pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften the onions and garlic without overpowering the sauce.
Onion: Gives a sweet, mellow base flavor when sautéed.
Ground chuck and ground pork: The dual meats create juicy depth in the sauce—beef for umami, pork for softness.
Garlic: Brings that irresistible punch that every Italian meat sauce needs.
Crushed red pepper flakes: Just a hint adds warmth without heat overshadowing the flavors.
Dry white wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds acidity to balance the richness.
Whole plum tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and texture are perfect for slow-simmered sauce.
Basil leaves: Fresh herb lift that brightens the sauce.
Mafaldine pasta: The ruffled edges cling to the cheese and sauce wonderfully; broken lasagna noodles work if you can’t find mafaldine.
Eggs: Bind the filling so the pie holds together nicely.
Pecorino Romano: Sharp, salty, and nutty—adds beautiful complexity to the cheese mixture.
Ricotta: Creamy mildness balances the meat sauce’s robustness.
Mozzarella: Melts to gooey perfection, giving that signature stretchy cheese experience.
Parsley: Adds fresh earthiness, cutting through the richness.
Salt and pepper: Basic but vital for seasoning at every step.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe is how flexible it is. I’ve swapped out herbs, tried different cheeses, and even made a veggie version that still wowed the crowd. You can tailor it for your taste buds or pantry staples.

Variation: I once tried adding sautéed mushrooms and spinach to the mix, which brought a lovely earthiness and extra veggies without losing any comfort.
Cheese Swap: Using fontina instead of mozzarella adds a smoky twist I really enjoy when I’m feeling a bit adventurous.
Spice Level: If you like a little heat, kick up the crushed red pepper flakes slightly—just be careful so it doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
Gluten-Free: I’ve used gluten-free broken lasagna noodles with success; just watch the cooking time closely to avoid mushy pasta.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe

A close-up of a slice of lasagna being lifted up from a white dish, showing layers of wavy pasta sheets with browned melted cheese on top, a thick middle layer of minced meat mixed with tomato sauce, and additional pasta and cheese layers beneath. The top layer is golden with some crispy browned spots, and green basil leaves are scattered on the lasagna. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Crafting the Rich Meat Sauce

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then sauté diced onion until soft and translucent—that usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Next, add both ground chuck and pork, bump the heat up to medium-high, and brown the meat thoroughly. The trick here is to remove any excess fat as you go to keep the sauce from feeling greasy. Once your meat is cooked, toss in minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes, then add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for depth. Pour in the white wine and cook it down for 2 minutes to get rid of that raw alcohol aroma. Finally, stir in your hand-crushed plum tomatoes and let the sauce simmer, stirring often, for at least 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings, then finish with fresh basil for a bright finish.

Step 2: Preparing the Pasta and Cheese Mixture

Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil—get that water nice and salty like the sea, about 2 tablespoons per gallon. Cook the mafaldine pasta until just shy of al dente, about 2 minutes less than package instructions. While the pasta cooks, beat together eggs, ricotta, Pecorino Romano, black pepper, chopped basil, and parsley in a large mixing bowl. Pour in 4 cups of the simmered meat sauce and give it a good stir. When the pasta’s ready, drain well and add it to the bowl along with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Mix everything gently but thoroughly to combine.

Step 3: Cook and Bake the Lasagna Pie

Heat a 12-inch oven-proof or cast-iron pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons olive oil, swirling so it coats the bottom evenly. Add your pasta-cheese mixture and let it cook undisturbed for 1 minute, just so the bottom gets a little crust before turning off the heat. Top the pie with the remaining mozzarella and pop it in a 375°F oven on the middle rack for about 12 minutes—this sets everything nicely. If you’re craving a deeply browned top, move the pan up to the broiler for 2-3 minutes, but keep an eagle eye on it so it doesn’t burn. Let it rest 5 minutes before cutting—this gives the pie time to firm up and makes serving easier. Don’t forget to spoon some extra warm meat sauce over each slice for the ultimate indulgence!

Top Tip

Having made this Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few things that make a huge difference. These tips really helped me get it just right, and I’m sure they’ll help you too.

Meat Browning: Don’t rush browning—the caramelized bits add so much flavor to your sauce, and removing excess fat keeps it from becoming greasy.
Pasta Cooking Time: Under-cook your pasta slightly; it will finish cooking in the oven and keeps the texture from turning mushy.
Use Fresh Herbs: Adding basil and parsley at the end brightens the rich meat sauce, making everything taste fresh and balanced.
Broiling Care: When browning the top, watch it closely—broilers can turn delicious to burnt in seconds!

How to Serve Delicious Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping each slice with fresh basil leaves and a little extra grated Pecorino Romano right before serving. It adds a lovely fresh bite and a bit of saltiness that balances the rich cheese and meat sauce. Sometimes I'll even sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes if I want to add a subtle heat kick.

Side Dishes

To keep things balanced, I pair this lasagna pie with a simple crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette, and some buttery garlic bread. The fresh acids and crunchy textures cut through the richness perfectly. Roasted vegetables like asparagus or Brussels sprouts are also great if you want something warm on the side.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served the lasagna pie on a rustic wooden board with bowls of extra meat sauce and freshly grated cheese on the side so everyone can customize their slices. Using individual mini cast iron pans for a personal pie portion is a fun way to present it too—and adds a cozy touch everyone enjoys!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover any leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Keeping it chilled this way helps preserve the layers and makes reheating easier without drying it out.

Freezing

This lasagna pie freezes incredibly well! I let it cool completely, wrap it twice in foil, and place it in a freezer-safe container. When I’m ready to enjoy, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake it again to regain that fresh-from-the-oven magic.

Reheating

For leftovers, reheating in the oven is my go-to method to preserve the crisp edges and melt the cheese just right. I pop slices on a baking sheet at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Microwaving works in a pinch but tends to make the crust soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular lasagna noodles if I can’t find mafaldine?

Absolutely! You can break regular lasagna noodles into smaller pieces as a great substitute. Just cook them slightly less than al dente to avoid mushiness in your pie.

How long can I store leftover lasagna pie?

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days when properly covered. For longer storage, freezing is your best bet, and it still tastes great after reheating.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

You can swap out the meat sauce for a rich tomato sauce with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and bell peppers. Using hearty vegetables gives you that satisfying texture and flavor without the meat.

What’s the best way to get a crispy bottom crust?

Cooking the pasta mixture briefly in a hot oiled cast iron skillet before baking helps create that golden, crispy bottom layer. Make sure the pan is properly heated and oiled for best results.

Final Thoughts

This Delightful Meat Lasagna Pie Recipe has quickly earned a special place in my kitchen — it’s a comforting classic with a fun twist and flavor complexity that never fails to impress. You’ll love how it feels like a hug from the oven, and once you try it with the homemade meat sauce, I promise you won’t want to revert to traditional lasagna again. Give it a go, and savor every cheesy, saucy, crispy bite!