Classic Comfort Food

Name: Homemade Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 90 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles, uncooked.; 4 cups mozzarella cheese, divided.; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided.; 3/4 tsp salt, more to taste.; 1/2 lb lean ground beef.; 1/2 lb Italian sausage.; 1 yellow onion, diced.; 2 garlic cloves, minced.; 36 oz pasta sauce.; 2 tbsp tomato paste.; 1 tsp Italian seasoning.; 2 cups ricotta cheese.; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.; 1 large egg, beaten.

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

Create perfect homemade lasagna by layering pasta with seasoned meat sauce and three cheeses. Let rest before serving for perfect slices.

By Clare Greco

Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:10:57 GMT

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A golden-brown lasagna with layers of cheese and sauce is served in a white dish, garnished with parsley, alongside a small bowl of chopped green herbs. | recipesbyclare.com

My homemade lasagna recipe has been in our family for generations. Those layers of pasta meat sauce and creamy cheese blend into pure comfort food magic. When this comes out of my oven the whole house smells amazing and everyone gathers in the kitchen waiting for that first bite.

A Family Favorite

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Just good ingredients layered with love creating something truly special. I often make two pans one for dinner and one for the freezer since it heats up beautifully whenever we need a quick comforting meal.

What Goes In My Pan

Regular lasagna noodles cooked just until tender
Italian sausage and ground beef from my local butcher
Rich marinara sauce homemade when I have time
Full fat ricotta mixed with fresh parmesan and egg
Fresh spinach wilted and squeezed dry
Whole milk mozzarella freshly shredded
My special blend of Italian seasonings

Layer by Layer

Start with Noodles: Cook pasta in salted water drain set aside
Make the Sauce: Brown meats with onion garlic stir in sauce let simmer until thick
Mix the Cheese: Blend ricotta parmesan egg season well
Build Your Lasagna: Layer sauce noodles cheese mixture repeat three times finish with sauce
Into the Oven: Cover bake at 375°F add mozzarella for final browning
Last Steps: Let rest before cutting garnish with herbs serve with garlic bread

My Secrets

Always keep the pan covered while baking prevents dry edges. That final sprinkle of mozzarella needs just enough time to get bubbly and golden. Give it time to rest the layers will thank you.

Plan Ahead

Your lasagna stays fresh in the fridge for two days before baking. Wrap it well for freezing good up to three months. Just thaw overnight when ready to enjoy.

A golden-brown lasagna with melted cheese and herbs is served in a white dish, with a bowl of chopped greens beside it. | recipesbyclare.com

Warm It Up

Pop leftovers in a 350°F oven covered about 30 minutes or microwave for quick meals. Something magical happens overnight the flavors get even better.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why let it rest before cutting?: Resting 15-45 minutes helps layers set for clean slices.
→ Can I use cottage cheese instead?: Yes, cottage cheese works well in place of ricotta.
→ Do I have to boil the noodles?: Skip boiling by using fresh lasagna sheets from deli section.
→ Can I make this ahead?: Yes, assemble up to 24 hours ahead and bake when needed.
→ Can I freeze this?: Yes, wrap well and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw before baking.

Homemade Lasagna

Classic Italian-American lasagna featuring layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, and three kinds of cheese. Perfect make-ahead comfort food.

Prep Time

30 Minutes

Cook Time

60 Minutes

Total Time

90 Minutes

By: Clare Greco

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 12 Servings (12)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 12 lasagna noodles, uncooked.

02 4 cups mozzarella cheese, divided.

03 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, divided.

04 3/4 tsp salt, more to taste.

05 1/2 lb lean ground beef.

06 1/2 lb Italian sausage.

07 1 yellow onion, diced.

08 2 garlic cloves, minced.

09 36 oz pasta sauce.

10 2 tbsp tomato paste.

11 1 tsp Italian seasoning.

12 2 cups ricotta cheese.

13 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.

14 1 large egg, beaten.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F.

Step 02

Boil noodles until al dente. Rinse, set aside.

Step 03

Brown meats, onion, and garlic. Drain fat.

Step 04

Add sauce ingredients and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 05

Mix ricotta cheese, parsley, and beaten egg.

Step 06

Layer in 9x13 pan: 1 cup meat sauce, 3 noodles, 1/3 cheese mix, 1 cup meat sauce; repeat twice.

Step 07

Top with noodles and remaining sauce.

Step 08

Cover and bake for 45 minutes.

Step 09

Add remaining cheeses and bake uncovered for 15 minutes.

Step 10

Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra browning.

Step 11

Rest for 15 minutes before cutting for clean slices.

Notes

Let rest for clean slices.
Can use cottage cheese instead of ricotta.
Fresh pasta sheets save time.
Makes great leftovers.

Tools You'll Need

9x13 baking dish.
Large pot.
Large skillet.
Mixing bowls.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.

Eggs.
Dairy.
Wheat/Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Calories: 377
Total Fat: 16 g
Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
Protein: 29 g