Name: Homemade Lasagna: Layered Comfort for Family Feast Night Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 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); 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)

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