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Easy Lasagna Recipe

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4.1 from 3 reviews

This easy lasagna recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melted mozzarella, baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners, this classic Italian comfort food is made with a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage simmered in a flavorful marinara sauce and layered with tender noodles and a seasoned cheese blend.

Ingredients

Cheese Mixture

  • 15 oz. ricotta cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper

Meat Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
  • ¾ lb. ground beef
  • ¾ lb. ground Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 40 oz. marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Other

  • 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra for breakage)
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prep Work: Combine the ricotta cheese, egg, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside. Gather and measure all remaining ingredients.
  2. Make the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the diced onions and cook for about 10 minutes until softened and slightly sweetened. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, increase heat to medium-high, and crumble the meat finely. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until fully cooked. Stir in minced garlic during the last minute. Drain excess grease.
  3. Simmer Sauce: Add chicken broth to the pot and scrape the bottom and sides with a spatula to release browned bits. Stir in marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and let the sauce simmer gently while you cook the noodles.
  4. Preheat Oven and Cook Noodles: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook lasagna noodles until al dente according to package instructions, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water until cool. Lay them flat on wax or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  5. Assemble Lasagna: Spread about 1 heaping cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Layer 4 noodles on top, overlapping if necessary. Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture over noodles, then add about 1½ cups of meat sauce. Repeat this layering twice more—4 noodles, 1/3 cheese, 1½ cups meat sauce; then 4 noodles, remaining cheese mixture, and remaining meat sauce. Finish by sprinkling 2½ cups mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
  6. Prepare for Baking: Spray a piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray on the side that will touch the cheese to prevent sticking. Cover the baking dish with the foil, spray-side down.
  7. Bake: Bake covered for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes to allow the layers to set before slicing. Serve warm with garlic bread topped with cheese.

Notes

  • For a smoother sauce, use a good quality marinara or make your own.
  • Lasagna noodles can be broken if handling stiffly; having extra noodles helps prevent shortage during layering.
  • Resting the lasagna after baking improves slicing and serving.
  • Omitting hot sauce will result in a milder flavor if preferred.
  • Parmesan cheese should be freshly grated for best taste and texture.

Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/easy-lasagna-recipe/