Lasagna Recipe

This simple lasagna recipe uses a hearty homemade sauce, three cheeses, and noodles for the ultimate comfort food recipe!

Course Dinner Recipes

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 25

Servings servings

Calories 631kcal

Author Jesseca

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup onion diced
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
1½ cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons dried basil or 1/2 cup fresh
1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
12-16 lasagna noodles
16 oz ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
2 to 3 cups mozzarella cheese grated
3/4 cup parmesan cheese

Instructions

For the sauce:

1. Heat a large Dutch Oven over medium heat. Add the sausage, ground beef, and onion. Cook 5 to 10 minutes, or until the meat is browned and the onion is soft.
2. Stir in the garlic and cook one minute longer.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
4. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer 1 hour.

For the cheese filling:

1. While your sauce is cooking, combine the ricotta, egg, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.

Building your lasagna:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Using either one 9×13 pan or two 8 inch pans- Start building your layers.
3. Add 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce to the bottom of your baking dish. Top with a layer of noodles. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles. Add another 1/2 to 1 cup of sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
4. Repeat the layers two more times following – Noodles, ricotta, sauce, cheese. You want to end with the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
5. Cover the lasagna with foil. Bake 25 minutes.
6. Remove the foil and bake an additional 25 minutes.
7. Let the lasagna sit for 15 minutes before serving to allow to thicken.

Notes

Do you have to pre cook noodles for lasagna?

Yes and no. This is kind of a tricky question. I used to pre cook my noodles, but found that it wasn’t completely necessary. You can find oven ready noodles in the store, OR if you are making this in advance, you can use regular noodles. Simply assemble your pasta, let it sit for at least 12 hours covered in the refrigerator, and bake as directed.

Ricotta substitute:

Not everyone loves ricotta, and that’s ok. We sometimes substitute equal amounts of cottage cheese. You get a similar flavor without the ricotta thick texture.

How to freeze/make lasagna ahead of time:

If you would like to make this recipe ahead or freeze, simply follow these instructions:

Make the recipe all the way through layering. Do not bake.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap followed by a layer of foil. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours OR freeze for up to three months.

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