Description
This ultimate lasagna recipe is a hearty and comforting classic! Featuring layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, tender pasta, and melty mozzarella, it’s perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or special occasions. Easy to customize and freezer-friendly, this dish will become your go-to lasagna recipe!
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or sausage (or a mix)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds (optional)
- 1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
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For the Cheese Layer:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
-
For the Pasta Layer:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
- (or no-boil noodles as a time-saving option)
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Topping:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the ground beef or sausage. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, fennel seeds (if using), sugar (if needed), salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened.
-
Mix the Cheese Layer:
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, shredded mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. Mix until smooth.
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Cook the Pasta:
- Cook lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
-
Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and shredded mozzarella. Repeat 2-3 times, finishing with a layer of noodles, sauce, and mozzarella on top.
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Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden.
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Rest and Serve:
- Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Assemble the lasagna up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the meat sauce with layers of sautu00e9ed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Cheese Substitutions: Use cottage cheese instead of ricotta for a lighter option. Experiment with other cheeses like gouda or provolone for a twist.
- Broiling Tip: Broil for 1-2 minutes at the end for a perfectly golden top.
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg