Classic Homemade Lasagna

Few dishes are as comforting and satisfying as a homemade lasagna. Layers of tender pasta, a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese come together to create a dish that feels both indulgent and heartwarming. This recipe may take a little time, but the result is a show-stopping meal that’s worth every minute. Perfect for family dinners, celebrations, or when you just want to treat yourself, this lasagna will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 30 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

• Rest Time: 15 minutes

• Total Time: 2 hours

• Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• ½ pound ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy, depending on preference)

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

• 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 2 teaspoons dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese

• 1 egg

• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Additional Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles (boiled until al dente or use oven-ready noodles)

• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ½ cup extra Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

   • Add ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat.

   • Add chopped onion and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

   • Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Reduce heat to low and let simmer uncovered for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh basil near the end.

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:

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

3. Assemble the Lasagna:

   • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.

   • Layer with 3 lasagna noodles. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add 1 cup of meat sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella.

   • Repeat layers (noodles, ricotta mixture, sauce, mozzarella) two more times.

   • Finish with a final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and extra Parmesan.

4. Bake:

   • Cover dish with foil (to prevent sticking, spray the foil with cooking spray first).

   • Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

5. Rest and Serve:

   • Allow lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Chef’s Notes:

• For extra richness, add a béchamel sauce between the layers.

• Make it ahead of time! Lasagna tastes even better the next day once the flavors meld together. Simply reheat before serving.

• Serve with garlic bread and a fresh salad for the ultimate Italian-inspired meal.

✨ From the D'Recipe Book at D’Rite Stuff ✨
Make layering easy with ceramic bakeware, wooden spoons, and stainless-steel saucepans from dritestuff.com — everything you need to craft the perfect lasagna at home.