Description
Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce is a hearty and comforting Italian dish featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, rich meat sauce made from ground beef and tomatoes, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 oz canned whole peeled tomatoes
- 15 oz tomato sauce (no added sugar)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Mixture and Layers
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or traditional)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg (to mix with ricotta)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the meat is fully cooked. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce lean.
- Simmer Sauce: Add the canned whole peeled tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, and dried basil to the skillet. Stir well and let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes to develop flavor.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, one egg, a pinch of salt and pepper, and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth.
- Assemble Lasagna: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Start layering with lasagna noodles, then spread a portion of the ricotta mixture, add some shredded mozzarella cheese, and repeat these layers until all ingredients are used. Finish the top layer with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to cook through and let flavors meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the lasagna to cool slightly for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving to help it set and hold together.
Notes
- Using oven-ready noodles can save time by skipping the boiling step.
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of fresh and dried herbs or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Letting the lasagna rest before slicing helps prevent it from falling apart.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
