Recipes › Pasta › Easy Passover Lasagna Recipe

Easy Passover Lasagna Recipe

Recipe by Pedro M. A. Neves

This Easy Passover Lasagna Recipe reimagines the classic Italian dish using matzah meal and potato starch to create tender layers that satisfy during the Passover holiday. Layered with seasoned ground beef, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce, it delivers authentic lasagna comfort while adhering to Passover dietary restrictions. A simple yet impressive main course that brings traditional Italian flavors to your holiday table.

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef (1 lb)
• 200g ricotta cheese (7 oz)
• 200g mozzarella cheese, shredded (7 oz)
• 50g Parmesan cheese, grated (½ cup)
• 60ml olive oil (¼ cup)
• 400g crushed tomatoes, canned (14 oz)
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 30g matzah meal (¼ cup)
• 15g potato starch (2 tablespoons)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 5ml salt (1 teaspoon)
• 2.5ml black pepper (½ teaspoon)
• 2.5ml dried oregano (½ teaspoon)
• 1.25ml dried basil (¼ teaspoon)
• 120ml water (½ cup)

Instructions

1. Heat 30ml olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.

2. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, then add ground beef. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned.

3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.

4. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 100g mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and beaten eggs. Mix until well combined and uniform in texture.

5. In another bowl, whisk together matzah meal, potato starch, and 120ml water to create a thin batter that resembles crepe batter.

6. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush a 9x13 inch baking dish with remaining 30ml olive oil.

7. Spread a thin layer of the matzah batter on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 2 minutes until set and pale golden.

8. Layer half of the meat sauce over the matzah base, then spread half of the cheese mixture evenly over the sauce.

9. Repeat with another thin layer of matzah batter, the remaining meat sauce, and the remaining cheese mixture. Sprinkle remaining 100g mozzarella on top.

10. Bake at 190°C for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and cheese is bubbling at the edges. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Substitutions

• Use ground turkey or ground lamb instead of beef for a lighter or alternate protein option
• Substitute the ricotta with creamed cottage cheese for a similar texture and taste
• Replace mozzarella with kashered cheese alternatives if preferred for stricter Passover observance
• Use gluten-free matzah meal if sensitivity to standard matzah meal exists

Tips

• Ensure all ingredients used are certified Passover products to maintain holiday compliance
• The matzah batter layers should be thin and crispy—they hold the lasagna together while avoiding thick, doughy textures
• Allow the lasagna to rest after baking so layers set and portions hold together cleanly when cut
• Prepare the meat sauce and cheese mixture in advance to speed up assembly on cooking day

Passover lasagna is a modern adaptation that honors Italian culinary tradition while respecting Jewish dietary laws during the week-long holiday commemorating the exodus from Egypt. This dish represents how contemporary families blend cultural heritage with holiday observance, creating comfort foods that maintain ancestral flavors.

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