Ultimate Homemade Lasagna 🧀🍅🔥
A classic, hearty lasagna made with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and lots of gooey melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal!
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
1 lb (450g) ground beef (or Italian sausage)
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Ricotta Mixture:
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For Assembly:
12 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions:
- Make the Meat Sauce:
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
Add chopped onion and cook until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.
Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. - Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and parsley. - Assemble the Lasagna:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13” baking dish.
Place 3 lasagna noodles on top.
Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by more meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of noodles, sauce, and shredded cheese on top. - Bake the Lasagna:
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
Broil for 2-3 minutes for a perfectly crisp cheese top. - Let It Rest & Serve:
Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Pro Tips:
✅ Want extra richness? Add a layer of béchamel
