Description
This Homemade Lasagna recipe delivers a quick and hearty meal filled with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender pasta. Designed to minimize cooking time without sacrificing flavor, this classic comfort food is perfect for family dinners and easily adaptable for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Noodles and Cheese
- 9–12 no-boil or pre-cooked lasagna noodles
- 1 ½ cups ricotta or cottage cheese
- 1 beaten egg
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef or Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned. Stir in marinara sauce, fresh basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 15-20 minutes to combine flavors.
- Cook the Noodles (if not using no-boil): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain noodles and lay flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta or cottage cheese with the beaten egg, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed to create a creamy filling.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a baking dish. Layer noodles over the sauce, then add dollops of cheese filling, spoonfuls of meat sauce, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers until the dish is filled, finishing with mozzarella and a dusting of Parmesan on top.
- Bake and Rest: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes to brown the cheese. Let lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing to set the layers.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles to save time and prevent overcooking.
- Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Season each layer with salt, pepper, or herbs for enhanced flavor.
- Combine mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese for balanced texture and taste.
- Prepare the meat sauce a day ahead to deepen the flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of recipe)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: lasagna, homemade lasagna, Italian, comfort food, easy lasagna, baked pasta, family dinner
