Description
This easy lasagna recipe is a classic comfort meal that the whole family will love. Creamy, cheesy, and meaty, it’s perfect for special occasions or cozy nights at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- ¾ pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- ¾ pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Assembly:
- 12 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
- 2 cups sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking up any chunks with the back of a spoon while stirring occasionally. Cook until browned (about 6–8 minutes).
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until tender (about 5 minutes).
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, basil, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
- Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the noodles, rinse them under cold water, and drain again to prevent sticking.
Step 5: Assemble the Lasagna
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Spread 2 cups of meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Arrange 4 cooked noodles in an even layer over the sauce, slightly overlapping if necessary.
- Spread half of the cheese filling (about 1 cup) evenly over the noodles.
- Repeat the layers once more: sauce, noodles, cheese.
- Top with the remaining 4 noodles, followed by the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.
Step 6: Bake the Lasagna
- Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil (spray the foil lightly with non-stick spray to prevent cheese from sticking).
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Increase the oven temperature to broil and broil for 2–3 minutes to brown the cheese.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow the layers to set properly. Enjoy!
Notes
- Rinsing the Noodles : Do not skip rinsing the lasagna noodles after cooking. Rinsing stops them from cooking further in residual heat and prevents sticking.
- Cheese Options : Use either sliced fresh mozzarella or low-moisture shredded mozzarella for the topping. Both work beautifully.
- Prevent Sticking : If the lasagna is near the top of the baking dish, spray the aluminum foil with non-stick spray before covering to avoid cheese sticking.
- Cover All Noodles : Ensure all noodles are fully covered with sauce and cheese to prevent them from drying out during baking.
- Resting Time : Letting the lasagna rest is crucial, it allows the layers to settle, making slicing easier and neater.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 343 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 864 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 71 mg
