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Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe

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★★★★★

4.1 from 65 reviews

This easy lasagna recipe features a rich meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella cheeses, baked to perfection. With a savory mixture of ground beef and Italian sausage, seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, this classic Italian dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The preparation involves simmering the sauce on the stovetop, boiling noodles until al dente, and baking the assembled layers in the oven for a hearty, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Filling

  • 15 oz. ricotta cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
  • ¾ lb. ground beef
  • ¾ lb. ground Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 40 oz. marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Noodles & Topping

  • 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prep Work: Combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside. Measure out all remaining ingredients for ease of cooking.
  2. Make the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook for about 10 minutes until softened and slightly sweetened. Increase heat to medium-high, add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat with a spatula until fine and crumbly. Cook for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking and drain excess grease.
  3. Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a gentle simmer. Partially cover and let simmer while you prepare the noodles.
  4. Preheat Oven and Cook Noodles: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rapid boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Stir gently with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Lay noodles flat on wax or parchment paper.
  5. Assemble the Lasagna: Spread about 1 heaping cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Arrange 4 lasagna noodles on top, overlapping as needed. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over noodles, then spoon about 1½ cups of meat sauce. Repeat layering two more times: noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles and remaining ricotta and meat sauce. Top evenly with 2½ cups mozzarella cheese.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Spray a sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray-side down over the assembled lasagna to prevent cheese from sticking to the foil.
  7. Bake: Bake covered for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to brown the cheese on top.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove lasagna from oven and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Let it rest for 15 minutes to allow the layers to set. Serve warm, ideally with garlic bread topped with cheese.

Notes

  • Using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage adds depth and flavor to the meat sauce.
  • Allowing onions to soften slowly releases their natural sweetness, balancing tomato acidity.
  • Partially covering the sauce while simmering keeps moisture in but allows flavors to concentrate.
  • Rinsing cooked noodles with cold water prevents them from sticking and stops cooking.
  • Spraying foil with nonstick spray prevents the cheese from sticking during baking.
  • Resting the lasagna before serving helps it set and makes slicing easier.
  • Use fresh grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor in the cheese filling.
  • Adjust hot sauce amount to desired heat level.

Keywords: lasagna, Italian recipe, baked pasta, meat sauce, ricotta filling, mozzarella, family dinner, classic lasagna

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/easy-homemade-lasagna-recipe/