Description
This easy homemade lasagna recipe layers tender lasagna noodles with a savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly baked to achieve a bubbly golden top, this classic Italian dish is hearty, comforting, and ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
Cheese Mixture
- 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)
Meat Sauce
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Noodles: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the noodles and rinse under cold water to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onion, and minced garlic until no pink remains. Drain excess fat thoroughly. Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine 1½ cups of shredded mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, ricotta cheese, chopped parsley, beaten egg, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix well until smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Place 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top. Spread one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with 3 lasagna noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce.
- First Bake: Cover the assembled lasagna with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
- Add Cheese Topping and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and sprinkle the top evenly with the remaining 2½ cups mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. For an extra bubbly and browned finish, broil for 2 to 3 minutes—watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes to allow it to set, making it easier to cut and serve.
Notes
- This homemade lasagna recipe is delicious and easy to make, featuring balanced layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese.
- Using lean ground beef and Italian sausage provides rich flavor with less fat.
- You can substitute ricotta with cottage cheese if preferred, or use a mix of both for texture variation.
- Simmer the meat sauce to deepen the flavors before assembling for best results.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking allows the layers to set and improves slicing.
- Broiling at the end gives a wonderful golden-brown crust but monitor closely to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 377 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 857 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
