Description
This classic Italian Lasagna features layers of rich, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta. It’s the ultimate comfort food—perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or special occasions. Packed with flavor, this homemade lasagna is easy to customize and tastes even better the next day!
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Lasagna Layers:
- 12–14 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
- Extra mozzarella cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté onions and garlic until softened.
- Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce.
- Add basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Stir until well combined and set aside.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- If using regular noodles, cook according to package instructions, then drain.
- If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and extra mozzarella on top.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let It Rest:
- Allow lasagna to cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Variations: Make it vegetarian with mushrooms and spinach, or try a white lasagna with béchamel sauce.
- Storage/Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Freezing: Freeze unbaked or baked lasagna for up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
