Description
A classic Italian homemade lasagna recipe with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and perfectly melted cheese. Ready in just 90 minutes, this family favorite is easier and faster than you think.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ lb ground pork (or substitute all beef or ground turkey)
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 16 oz ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet, sauté onion and garlic for 1 minute. Brown beef and pork, drain excess fat, season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and lay flat on towels.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer 3 noodles, ⅓ meat sauce, ⅓ ricotta mixture, and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layers twice.
- Top with noodles, remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Avoid no-boil noodles; they produce poor texture. Always rest lasagna before cutting for clean slices. Use San Marzano tomatoes for premium flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 408
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: homemade lasagna, Italian lasagna, baked pasta, family dinner