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Easy Homemade Lasagna

Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe for Dinner


Description

If you’re looking for the best homemade lasagna recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This classic Italian dish is packed with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and perfectly cooked pasta, making it a comfort food favorite for dinner. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or meal prepping for the week, this easy lasagna recipe will impress everyone at the table.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

For the Ricotta Cheese Mixture:

  • 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients:

  • 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

Step1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
  2. Add diced onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, then stir well.
  4. Add oregano, basil, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes (if using). Let the sauce simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
  2. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.

Step3: Prepare the Ricotta Cheese Mixture

  1. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, parsley, and salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
  4. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese.
  5. Repeat the layers two more times.
  6. Top with remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

Step5: Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use high-quality canned tomatoes for the best sauce flavor.
  • Let the lasagna rest before cutting to keep the layers intact.
  • Make ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.