Description
This Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce is a hearty and comforting Italian dish featuring layers of tender noodles, savory ground beef in a rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melty mozzarella topped with Parmesan. Perfect for family dinners and gatherings, this recipe yields a deliciously baked lasagna with a golden, bubbly cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or traditional)
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce (no added sugar)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the meat is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce lean.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the canned whole peeled tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, and dried basil to the skillet with the cooked beef mixture. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then let it simmer gently for 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with one egg, salt, pepper, and half a cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful filling.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles, then spread a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layering steps until all ingredients are used, finishing with mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This helps the lasagna cook through evenly and keeps it moist.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, until the cheese on top becomes bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the lasagna to cool slightly before slicing to help it set and make serving easier.
Notes
- Using oven-ready noodles saves time as they don’t need to be boiled before assembling.
- Drain excess fat after browning the meat to reduce greasiness.
- Letting the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes after baking helps it hold its shape when serving.
- You can add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil for extra freshness.
- For a richer flavor, consider mixing a little grated Parmesan into the meat sauce.
