Classic Lasagna Recipe
This classic lasagna recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, melted mozzarella, and perfectly cooked pasta. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Each bite is packed with savory flavors and layers of cheesy goodness, making it a timeless favorite for any table.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Skillet (for cooking meat sauce)
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Mixing bowls (for ricotta mixture)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Aluminum foil (for covering while baking)
- Oven
Ingredients
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1 14 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp sugar optional, to reduce acidity
- For the Ricotta Filling:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese for the filling
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
- For the Assembly:
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and sugar (if using). Simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.
- Make the Ricotta Filling:
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, egg, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix well until smooth.
- Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a third of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with a little mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, mozzarella.
- For the final layer, top with the remaining noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing.Cut into squares and serve warm. Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it's cold from the fridge.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a mix of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini.
- Freezing Tip: You can freeze leftover lasagna for up to 3 months. Simply cover tightly and reheat in the oven when ready to serve.
