Best Lasagna Recipe: Hearty Beef & Cheese Perfection! Recipe
Introduction
This classic lasagna recipe combines hearty ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and layers of creamy cheese for a comforting family meal. It’s a perfect dish to enjoy any night of the week or for special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup water or broth
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 12 cooked lasagna noodles
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Additional parmesan cheese (for topping)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Step 2: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and water or broth. Bring to a simmer and let it cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
- Step 4: Cook lasagna noodles in boiling salted water until al dente, then drain and lay them flat to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce, then arrange a layer of noodles over it. Add dollops of the ricotta mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, and repeat layering until all ingredients are used. End with a final layer of sauce and mozzarella cheese, sprinkling additional parmesan on top.
- Step 6: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Step 7: Let the lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce while it simmers.
- Use fresh basil instead of dried for a brighter herb taste.
- Try substituting ground beef with a mix of beef and Italian sausage for a richer filling.
- To make ahead, assemble the lasagna and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Storage
Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave or oven until heated through. You can also freeze baked lasagna for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 350°F until warmed.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
Yes, no-boil noodles work well and can save time. Just adjust the sauce to be a bit more liquidy to help soften the noodles during baking.
How do I prevent lasagna from being watery?
Make sure not to over-sauce the layers and allow the meat sauce to simmer and reduce to a thicker consistency. Also, fully drain cooked noodles before assembling.
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Best Lasagna Recipe: Hearty Beef & Cheese Perfection! Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Best Lasagna Recipe delivers a hearty, comforting dish featuring layers of rich beef marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, tender lasagna noodles, and gooey melted mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, this classic Italian recipe combines savory flavors and cheesy goodness baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup water or broth
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 12 cooked lasagna noodles
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Additional parmesan cheese for topping
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and water or broth. Simmer on low heat for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavors.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended. Set aside.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add lasagna noodles and cook until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and lay noodles flat to prevent sticking.
- Assemble Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Layer noodles over the sauce, then spread a portion of the ricotta cheese mixture and sprinkle shredded mozzarella over it. Repeat these layers until the dish is filled, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and mozzarella on top. Sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the top layer.
- Bake Lasagna: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 15–20 minutes or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley, slice, and serve warm.
Notes
- Precooking the noodles helps prevent a watery lasagna, but using no-boil noodles is an option if preferred.
- Simmering the meat sauce longer enhances flavor depth, feel free to extend simmer time up to 45 minutes.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking improves slicing and serving consistency.
- Fresh parsley adds color and freshness but can be omitted or substituted with basil if desired.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: lasagna, beef lasagna, cheesy lasagna, Italian recipe, baked pasta, comfort food, ricotta cheese, homemade lasagna
