Description
This easy lasagna recipe combines a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and layers of melted mozzarella cheese to create a classic Italian comfort dish that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining. With a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage, fresh seasonings, and homemade marinara sauce, this lasagna is hearty, flavorful, and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Others
- 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
- 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and the egg. Mix everything together until smooth and set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Cook the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and ground Italian sausage, breaking them apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Noodles: While the sauce simmers, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel or sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Assemble and Bake the Lasagna: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then a third of the meat sauce, and repeat layers two more times. Finish with a generous layer of 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the marinara sauce with your favorite store-bought or homemade tomato sauce if preferred.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it to set and makes serving easier.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for extra nutrition and flavor.
