Homemade Lasagna: Layered Comfort for Family Feast Night Recipe
Introduction
Homemade lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family feast nights. This layered dish combines rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and tender noodles baked to golden perfection. It’s a satisfying meal sure to please a crowd.
Ingredients
- 12 uncooked lasagna noodles (no-boil noodles optional)
- 0.5 lb lean ground beef (can swap for ground turkey)
- 0.5 lb Italian sausage (all beef or chicken sausage works too)
- 1 yellow onion, diced (shallots for a sweeter flavor)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (garlic powder as a substitute)
- 36 oz pasta sauce (homemade preferred)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (fresh basil and oregano optional)
- 0.75 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper (white pepper for milder heat)
- 2 cups ricotta cheese (cottage cheese for a lighter option)
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, divided (provolone can be used)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 large egg, beaten (flaxseed meal for dairy-free version)
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped (basil as an alternative)
- Additional mozzarella cheese for topping
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will ensure the lasagna cooks evenly and melts to bubbly perfection.
- Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water, then set aside.
- Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until no longer pink. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
- Step 4: Drain excess fat from the skillet. Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella, ¼ cup Parmesan, chopped parsley, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix well until smooth.
- Step 6: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Place 3 noodles over the sauce, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Repeat layering two more times, finishing with meat sauce on top.
- Step 7: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- Step 8: Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set and makes for cleaner slices.
Tips & Variations
- Use no-boil noodles to save time and skip the pasta cooking step.
- Swap ground turkey for beef to lighten the dish without sacrificing flavor.
- Fresh herbs like basil and oregano can be added for a brighter taste.
- For a dairy-free version, replace the egg in the cheese mixture with flaxseed meal.
- Leftover mozzarella cheese can be sprinkled on top for an extra cheesy crust.
Storage
Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Lasagna can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and keep it refrigerated. Bake it just before serving, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Do I need to boil the noodles if I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
No, no-boil noodles can be used directly in the recipe. They will cook in the oven’s moisture during baking, saving you time and effort.
Print
Homemade Lasagna: Layered Comfort for Family Feast Night Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This homemade lasagna recipe is a classic Italian-American comfort food featuring layers of tender noodles, savory meat sauce, and a creamy cheese mixture. Perfectly baked to bubbly perfection, it serves as a satisfying family feast that’s ideal for gatherings or cozy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Components
- 12 uncooked Lasagna Noodles (opt for no-boil noodles to save time and effort)
- 0.5 lb Lean Ground Beef (can easily be swapped with ground turkey)
- 0.5 lb Italian Sausage (adds depth; all beef or chicken sausage works too)
- 1 Yellow Onion (diced; use shallots for a sweeter, milder flavor)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced; garlic powder can be utilized for convenience)
- 36 oz Pasta Sauce (homemade gives the best flavor)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste (enhances the sauce’s tomato flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (fresh herbs like basil and oregano can elevate the taste)
- 0.75 teaspoon Salt (adjust based on flavor preferences)
- 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper (white pepper provides a milder heat if preferred)
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups Ricotta Cheese (cottage cheese can replace it for a lighter version)
- 4 cups Mozzarella Cheese (divided; swap for provolone if desired)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (divided; grated Parmesan melts beautifully)
- 1 large Egg (beaten; for a dairy-free version, consider using flaxseed meal)
- 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped; substitute with basil to add flavor)
- Additional Mozzarella Cheese (use any leftover cheese on top before baking)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure a consistent baking temperature for the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water, then cook the lasagna noodles for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain, rinse them under cool water to stop cooking, and set aside.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened. Drain excess fat, then stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Lasagna: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of the meat sauce evenly over the bottom. Lay down 3 lasagna noodles side by side, then spread a portion of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Repeat the layering process two more times, finishing with the remaining meat sauce on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to cook through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes. This resting time ensures the layers set for easier slicing and enhances the overall flavor experience before serving.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles to skip the boiling step and save time.
- Substitute ground turkey or chicken sausage for a leaner meat option.
- For a lighter cheese filling, cottage cheese can replace ricotta cheese.
- Fresh herbs such as basil or oregano can be used instead of dried Italian seasoning for a fresher taste.
- For a dairy-free alternative, replace the egg in the cheese mixture with flaxseed meal mixed with water.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before slicing yields cleaner cuts and fuller flavors.
- Leftover lasagna can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: homemade lasagna, classic lasagna, Italian comfort food, layered pasta recipe, family dinner lasagna, baked lasagna
