Name: Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked); 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided); ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided); 2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese); ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley; 1 large egg (beaten); ¾ teaspoon salt (divided); ½ pound lean ground beef; ½ pound Italian sausage; 1 yellow onion (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 36 ounces pasta sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¼ teaspoon black pepper

If you’re craving a comforting, hearty meal that brings the whole family together, this Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe is pure magic. I absolutely love how this turns out — layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and ooey-gooey cheese all baked to bubbly perfection. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how easy it was to make from scratch, yet it tastes like you slaved over it all day. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through every step to ensure your lasagna is a winner every single time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making it a great go-to dinner.
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The blend of meat, cheese, and herbs creates a rich, satisfying taste that’s not too heavy.
Kid and Crowd-Friendly: My family goes crazy for this dish, and it’s always a hit whether it’s weeknight dinner or a gathering.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it earlier in the day or even freeze leftovers for busy nights.

The image shows a white square dish with several layers of lasagna. The bottom layer is soft cooked pasta sheets, topped by a thick layer of brown meat sauce mixed with reddish tomato sauce that looks chunky and moist. Above this is another layer of pasta, followed by a thick spread of melted light yellow cheese with golden brown spots, sprinkled with small bits of green herbs. One piece of lasagna has been taken out, revealing the layers clearly on a white marbled surface. The cheese on top looks bubbly and slightly browned with a bit of gooey stretched texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, delicious lasagna recipe, easy homemade lasagna, hearty Italian lasagna, baked pasta with meat and cheese

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient here plays a vital role, from the spices that add warmth to the cheeses that give you that stretchy, melty goodness. When shopping, I recommend using quality Italian sausage and fresh parsley if you can – it truly elevates the dish.

Flat lay of uncooked rectangular lasagna noodles neatly stacked, a small mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, a small pile of shredded Parmesan cheese, a fresh whole yellow onion with shiny skin, two whole cloves of garlic with papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red pasta sauce, a small white ceramic bowl holding thick, deep red tomato paste, fresh bright green parsley sprigs loosely arranged, a raw whole egg with a smooth clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy white ricotta cheese, and fresh raw lean ground beef and Italian sausage side by side in small portions placed on a simple white ceramic dish, all ingredients fresh and natural, 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 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, delicious lasagna recipe, easy homemade lasagna, hearty Italian lasagna, baked pasta with meat and cheese

Lasagna noodles: I use no-boil or regular; just be sure to cook to al dente texture so they hold up in the bake without turning mushy.
Shredded mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded melts better than pre-shredded, thanks to fewer anti-caking agents.
Parmesan cheese: Use freshly grated for that authentic, nutty flavor.
Salt: Essential for bringing out the flavors, but adjust to your taste.
Lean ground beef: Adds body and richness; draining excess fat keeps it from being greasy.
Italian sausage: Choose mild or spicy depending on your preference—adds great depth.
Yellow onion: Sautéed with the meat to add sweetness and texture.
Garlic: Minced fresh for the best aroma and flavor punch.
Pasta sauce: I like a good quality jarred sauce, but homemade works amazingly too.
Tomato paste: Helps thicken the sauce and deepens tomato flavor.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that gives the meat sauce a classic taste.
Ricotta cheese: Creamy and mild, this makes the cheese layer so luscious; cottage cheese is a fine substitute if you’re in a pinch.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the dish and adds fresh herbal notes.
Large egg: Binds the ricotta layer nicely so it stays creamy but firm.

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.

Variations

One of the things I enjoy most about this Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. I encourage you to make it your own by swapping out ingredients or adding fun extras.

Vegetarian Variation: Use a mixture of mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini sautéd in place of meat, paired with the same cheese blend for a delicious veggie lasagna.
Spicy Kick: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce or use spicy Italian sausage if you love heat like I do.
Cheese Lover’s Dream: Layer in extra mozzarella or experiment with provolone or fontina for different melty textures.
Gluten-Free: Swap regular noodles for gluten-free lasagna sheets, adjusting cook times as needed.

How to Make Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Lasagna Noodles Perfectly

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your lasagna noodles and cook until al dente — meaning they still have a slight firmness when you bite into them. This is key because the noodles continue to cook in the oven and you don’t want mush. Drain them well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set them aside on a clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Build That Flavorful Meat Sauce

While the noodles cook, heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onions, and minced garlic. I always stir and break the meat apart as it browns, making sure no pink spots remain. Once cooked, drain any excess fat — no one wants greasy lasagna. Next, stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer uncovered over medium heat for about 5 minutes. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors meld beautifully. Be sure to taste and adjust seasoning here — it’s the secret to a delicious final dish.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Mixture

In a separate bowl, combine 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan, ricotta cheese, fresh chopped parsley, a beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. This mixture adds that rich creaminess between layers that everyone raves about. I always give it a good stir until well blended so it spreads easily later.

Step 4: Assemble Your Lasagna Layers

Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and start by spreading about 1 cup of the meat sauce as your base layer. Top that with 3 lasagna noodles laid side by side. Spoon about a third of the cheese mixture evenly on top, then bake it under 1 cup of the meat sauce. Repeat these layers two more times, so you have three layers total. Finish the top layer with 3 noodles and the remainder of your meat sauce. This layering technique ensures each serving has just the right balance of noodle, sauce, and cheese. I like to cover the pan tightly with foil to keep it moist as it bakes.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your covered lasagna dish in a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 45 minutes. After that, remove the foil and sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 2½ cups mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Pop it back in uncovered for 15 minutes or until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. If you like a little crispy top, broil for 2-3 minutes but watch it carefully — it can burn quickly! Once it’s out of the oven, let your lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This rest time allows everything to set so you get perfect, clean slices instead of messy ooze.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Noodles: Al dente noodles prevent sogginess even after the baking time.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts better and gives a creamier texture than pre-shredded bags.
Rest Before Serving: Waiting 15 minutes after baking helps the lasagna slice cleanly without falling apart.
Drain Meat Well: Excess fat can make the lasagna greasy, so don’t skip this step for best flavor and texture.

How to Serve Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered lasagna showing about four layers of pasta sheets and rich sauce mixed with browned ground meat. The top layer has melted, slightly browned cheese with scattered green herb pieces. The lasagna is cut into six hearty square servings, and around the dish there is a striped cloth and a small bowl of green herbs. The whole scene is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, delicious lasagna recipe, easy homemade lasagna, hearty Italian lasagna, baked pasta with meat and cheese

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley on top just before serving. The fresh herb aroma complements the rich cheeses and tomato sauce perfectly. A light dusting of extra parmesan right on the plate adds an elegant touch—and you can’t go wrong with a drizzle of good olive oil for some added richness.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides with this lasagna are a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette and some garlic bread to soak up every last bit of sauce. Sometimes I’ll steam some broccoli or green beans for a fresh, simple veggie. You’ll find these well-balanced sides keep the meal comforting without feeling too heavy.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to prepare individual portions in small ramekins or mini casserole dishes. It makes serving easy and looks so charming on the table. Another fun trick is layering in some roasted vegetables or even swapping traditional noodles for thinly sliced eggplant for a twist.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After enjoying dinner, I let the remaining lasagna cool to room temperature, then cover tightly with plastic wrap or foil. It stores well in the fridge for up to 4 days, and honestly, the flavors deepen beautifully overnight. When I reheat, I find baking it covered in the oven helps maintain its texture better than microwaving.

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I usually portion it into airtight containers or wrap tightly in foil and place in freezer bags. When you’re ready, thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake covered at 350°F until heated through, adding extra cheese on top if you like to freshen it up.

Reheating

To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F and cover the lasagna with foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 20-25 minutes or until warm all the way through. If you want a melty cheese topping again, remove foil for the last 5 minutes of baking.

FAQs

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

Absolutely! If you choose no-boil noodles, you can skip boiling them first. Just make sure your sauce is slightly more liquidy to allow the noodles to soften properly during baking. It can save you a step without sacrificing flavor.
Is it okay to substitute cottage cheese for ricotta?

Yes, cottage cheese is a fine substitute and often lighter. I sometimes use it when ricotta isn’t on hand. Just make sure to drain excess liquid from the cottage cheese for the best texture in your cheese layer.
How long can I keep leftover lasagna in the fridge?

Leftover lasagna will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. Be sure to store it in an airtight container or tightly cover it to maintain moisture and prevent off flavors.
Can I prepare this lasagna ahead of time?

Definitely! You can assemble your lasagna a day ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. When you’re ready, just bake it as instructed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time if it’s cold from the fridge.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll fall in love with this Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe like I have. It’s a perfect blend of simple ingredients and loving technique that yields such a satisfying meal you’ll want to make again and again. I can’t tell you how many times this lasagna has been the star of our family dinners and celebrations — truly comfort food at its finest. So, grab your apron and try it out. I promise you’ll enjoy every cheesy, savory bite!