Easy Meat-Based Carnivore Lasagna: Creamy Cheesy Layers

Craving comfort food without straying from your carnivore lifestyle? This carnivore lasagna brings all the cheesy, layered goodness of the classic dish minus the carbs. With savory ground beef, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella layered between “noodle” sheets made of cheese, you’ll never miss the pasta. It’s hearty, satisfying, and family-friendly, proving that you don’t need flour to enjoy a truly indulgent lasagna.

Simple Ingredients

One of the best things about this recipe is how few ingredients it needs. No complicated shopping lists just staple items you probably already keep stocked on a carnivore diet:

• Ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
• Optional ground Italian sausage for extra flavor
• Ricotta cheese and egg to make a creamy layer
• Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for that cheesy lasagna goodness
• Butter or beef tallow for browning and greasing
• A touch of sea salt (and pepper, if you use it)

Serving Size & Timings

• Servings: 6–8 portions
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
• Cooling/Resting Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes

Meat-Based Lasagna (Carnivore-Friendly Recipe)

Ingredients

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) ground beef (or beef + pork mix)
• ½ lb (225 g) ground Italian sausage (optional, for flavor)
• 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg (to bind ricotta)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8–10 mozzarella cheese slices (or provolone, for “noodles”)
• 2 tbsp butter or beef tallow (for browning meat)
• 1 tsp sea salt (to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper (optional, if you include minimal seasoning)

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Base

1. In a skillet, melt butter or beef tallow.
2. Add ground beef and sausage, cooking until browned and crumbled.
3. Season lightly with salt (and pepper, if allowed). Set aside.

Mix the Ricotta Layer

1. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, and half the Parmesan.
2. Stir until creamy and smooth.

Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Grease a baking dish with butter or tallow.
3. Layer in this order:
   • Thin layer of meat mixture
   • Cheese slices as noodles
   • Ricotta mixture
   • Shredded mozzarella
4. Repeat until ingredients are used. Finish with mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

Bake

1. Cover dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes, until top is bubbling and golden.

Rest & Serve

• Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing for neat layers.
• Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan.

Pro Tips

• Extra flavor: Mix in cooked bacon or pancetta with the meat layer.
• Cheese noodles: If you prefer, bake thin sheets of mozzarella first to use as sturdier “noodles.”
• Dairy-free carnivore: Swap ricotta for whipped egg whites or skip the cheese altogether, layering only meat and broth-based gelatin sheets.

Variations

• All-beef version: Skip the sausage for a simpler flavor profile.
• Carnivore keto hybrid: Add a thin layer of low-carb marinara between cheese and meat.
• Individual servings: Assemble in ramekins for easy portion control.

Equipment Used

• Large skillet
• Mixing bowl and whisk
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Sharp chef’s knife and cutting board
• Baking dish (9×13 in / 23×33 cm)
• Aluminum foil

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freeze slices individually for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.

Save Those Juices for Extra Flavor

Don’t toss the flavorful juices that collect in the bottom of your carnivore lasagna dish they’re liquid gold! As the beef, sausage, butter, and cheeses bake together, they release rich fats and savory drippings that can be repurposed in other carnivore-friendly recipes.

Here are a few tasty ways to use them:

• Sauce for Steaks or Burgers: Spoon the juices over grilled steak or burger patties for an instant flavor boost.
• Egg Frying Fat: Use a little in your skillet to fry eggs no need for extra butter or tallow.
• Soup or Broth Base: Stir into bone broth or a simple meat-based soup for added depth.
• Veggie-Free “Gravy”: Whisk the juices with a bit of extra cheese for a creamy, carb-free gravy.
• Boiled Egg Sauce: Mash hard-boiled eggs and mix in a spoonful of the lasagna juices to create a rich, creamy topping for meats or as a dip.
• Meal Prep Moisture: Pour a spoonful over reheated lasagna slices to keep them juicy and rich.

What Is the Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet (Affiliate) is a meat-based eating plan that focuses primarily on animal foods. Unlike keto or paleo, which allow some plants, the carnivore approach cuts out carbohydrates and plant-based foods altogether. The goal is simple: eat animal protein and fat in their most nutrient-dense forms.

People choose this diet for various reasons, including weight management, reducing inflammation, and supporting autoimmune conditions. Because it eliminates fiber and plant matter, many find it easier to digest and more filling, while still keeping meals simple and satisfying.

Carnivore-Approved Food Lists

If you’re new to carnivore, here are the main categories of foods you can enjoy:

Meats

• Beef: steaks, roasts, ground beef
• Pork: chops, bacon, sausage (no fillers)
• Lamb, goat, venison, bison
• Poultry: chicken, turkey, duck
• Organ meats: liver, heart, kidney

Fish & Seafood

• Salmon, sardines, tuna
• Shellfish: shrimp, crab, lobster
• White fish like cod and haddock

Dairy (if tolerated)

• Whole milk cheeses (cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, ricotta)
• Heavy cream
• Butter and ghee

Fats

• Beef tallow
• Pork lard
• Butter or ghee

Extras

• Eggs (all styles)
• Bone broth
• Salt (and optional minimal spices like pepper)

With these staples, the possibilities for simple yet delicious recipes like this lasagna are endless.

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