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Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.2 from 23 reviews
  • Author: Emma
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Best Homemade Lasagna recipe features layers of rich and flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan, baked to perfection. It’s a classic American dinner dish perfect for family gatherings and special occasions, delivering hearty comfort with every bite.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 3/4 lb lean ground beef
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
  • 2 (6.5 oz) cans canned tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (divided)

Cheese and Noodles

  • 12 pre-cooked lasagna noodles
  • 16 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Meat Sauce: In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook the sweet Italian sausage, lean ground beef, minced onion, and crushed garlic until browned and cooked through, breaking the meat up as it cooks.
    Drain any excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, canned tomato sauce, dried basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, and white sugar. Add salt, black pepper, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.
    Mix well.
  3. Simmer Sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to develop rich flavors.
  4. Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.
  5. Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully heat before baking the lasagna.
  6. Assemble Lasagna – First Layer: In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, spread 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom.
  7. Second Layer – Noodles: Arrange a layer of pre-cooked lasagna noodles over the meat sauce, covering it completely.
  8. Third Layer – Ricotta: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  9. Fourth Layer – Mozzarella: Top the ricotta layer with one-third of the sliced mozzarella cheese.
  10. Fifth Layer – Sauce & Parmesan: Spoon another 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella, then sprinkle with ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
  11. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering sequence (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce, Parmesan) once more, then top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  12. Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, spraying the foil with oil spray to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
  13. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden browned.
  14. Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna cool and set for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers hold together for perfect portions.

Notes

  • Pre-cooked noodles save time but you can substitute with no-boil noodles if preferred.
  • Simmering the sauce slowly enhances the flavor by allowing spices to meld.
  • Letting the lasagna rest after baking ensures easier slicing and better presentation.
  • Use fresh herbs like parsley when possible for the best flavor.
  • Spraying foil with oil prevents cheese from sticking to the cover during baking.

Find it online: https://yumrecipesfood.com/best-homemade-lasagna-recipe/