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Perfect homemade lasagna with golden melted cheese, rich meat sauce, and creamy ricotta layers in a baking dish

The Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe (15-Minute Prep!)

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.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 408
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 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

Method
 

  1. 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.
  2. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  3. Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and lay flat on towels.
  4. 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.
  5. Top with noodles, remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
  6. Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10-15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
  7. 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.