Homemade Lasagna
Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food. This classic dish is layered with rich flavors, hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles. Whether you're serving it for a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or just because, traditional lasagna is sure to bring everyone to the table. Here's a timeless recipe that will have your guests asking for seconds.
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground beef (you can also mix ground pork or sausage)
1 32 oz jar spaghetti sauce
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Cheese Mixture:
15 oz ricotta cheese
½ cup cottage cheese
1 large egg
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Lasagna:
12 lasagna noodles
1 cup mozzarella cheese for topping
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
Prepare the Meat Sauce. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork) to the pan. Brown the meat, breaking it apart with a spoon.
Stir in the tomato sauce. Add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup of Parmesan. Stir until well mixed.
Assemble the Lasagna. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a generous amount of the ricotta cheese mixture, then another layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
Bake the Lasagna. Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce layer and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Serve. Slice the lasagna into squares and serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
Tips for the Perfect Traditional Lasagna:
Let it rest: Letting the lasagna sit for 10-15 minutes after baking helps it set and makes it easier to slice without falling apart.
Customize the meat sauce: Feel free to experiment with different meats like Italian sausage, ground turkey, or a mix of ground beef and lamb for added flavor.
Make ahead: Lasagna can be made ahead of time. After assembling, cover and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. It also freezes well, so you can prepare it in advance and freeze it for a quick dinner later.
Don’t skip the cheese: The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan is what makes traditional lasagna so delicious. Use full-fat cheese for the best texture and flavor.
Lasagna is one of those dishes that gets better the next day, so it’s perfect for leftovers! Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want to enjoy a comforting meal at home, this traditional lasagna recipe will never disappoint. Enjoy the rich flavors, layers of goodness, and the joy of sharing this classic Italian dish with your loved ones.
Buon appetito!
Homemade Lasagna
This homemade lasagna is delicious and easy to make. With layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese, it's the perfect comfort meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (you can also mix ground pork, sausage, or turkey)
- 1 32 oz jar spaghetti sauce
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- ½ cup cottage cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese for topping
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley or basil chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Cook the lasagna noodles. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to prevent them from sticking together.
- Prepare the meat sauce. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork) to the pan. Brown the meat, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Stir in the tomato sauce. Add the salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, if using. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prepare the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup of Parmesan. Stir until well mixed.
- Assemble the lasagna. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a generous amount of the ricotta cheese mixture, then another layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Bake the lasagna. Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil. Bake for 45 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the sauce layer and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve. Slice the lasagna into squares and serve with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil.
