Description
This Best Homemade Lasagna recipe features a rich and hearty meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta cheese, melted mozzarella, and tangy Parmesan, all baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this classic Italian dish combines Italian sausage, ground beef, and a blend of savory herbs for deep flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- ¾ lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup minced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5 oz) cans canned tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 ½ tsp dried basil leaves
- ½ tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (divided into 2 tbsp for sauce, 2 tbsp for ricotta mix)
Lasagna Assembly
- 12 pre-cooked lasagna noodles
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ¾ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, minced onion, and crushed garlic until the meat is browned and onions are tender. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, dried basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, and white sugar. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer Sauce: Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste, then add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 1 ½ hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and develop deep flavors.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled lasagna.
- Assemble Lasagna: In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, start by spreading 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom. Layer 4 pre-cooked lasagna noodles over the meat sauce to cover it completely. Next, spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Top the ricotta layer with a third of the sliced mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 ½ cups more meat sauce on top, then sprinkle with ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layering process with the remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella slices, and meat sauce. Finish by topping the assembled layers with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil; lightly spray the foil with oil to prevent sticking to the cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes while covered.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil carefully and continue baking for another 25 minutes uncovered, allowing the cheese on top to brown and bubble beautifully.
- Rest and Serve: Once baking is complete, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes to set. This resting time helps the layers firm up for easier slicing. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty homemade lasagna.
Notes
- Pre-cooking lasagna noodles simplifies layering and prevents sticking during baking.
- Spraying the aluminum foil helps avoid cheese sticking when covered.
- Simmering the sauce for 1 ½ hours develops deeper, richer flavors.
- Letting the lasagna rest before serving makes slicing easier and enhances texture.
- Adjust salt according to taste preferences and dietary needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
