Description
Heavenly Homemade Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, made with layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for weeknight dinners, special gatherings, or make-ahead meals. This classic Italian lasagna recipe is easy, hearty, and freezer-friendly—ideal for family meals or potlucks.
Ingredients
12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or boiled)
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
28 ounces crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 large egg
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional for garnish)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and Italian seasoning. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese until smooth.
6. If using regular lasagna noodles, boil according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
8. Add a layer of noodles, then spread with ricotta mixture, top with meat sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, ending with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan on top.
9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
10. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
11. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Notes
Let the lasagna rest before cutting to help layers set and slices stay intact.
For deeper flavor, add a splash of red wine to the sauce while simmering.
You can assemble and refrigerate the lasagna a day ahead to bake later.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg