Description

If you’re looking for the best lasagna recipe, you’ve come to the right place! This recipe is not just any lasagna, but a cheesy, meaty, and delicious dish that’s easy to make and guaranteed to please a crowd. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out in the kitchen, this step-by-step guide will help you master the art of lasagna.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Meat Sauce:

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground beef (93/7 lean-to-fat ratio)
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
1 cup water
3 bay leaves
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)

For the Cheese Layer:

½ pound mozzarella cheese, grated
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Lasagna Assembly:

1 pound lasagna noodles
¼ pound mozzarella cheese (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until soft.
Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
Add the ground beef, breaking it apart as it browns. Cook until the meat is fully browned.
Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian seasoning, and salt.
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken and become rich in flavor.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Filling

While the meat sauce simmers, prepare the cheese layer by combining mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta in a bowl.
Add dried basil, dried parsley, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, but only for about 7 minutes (2/3 of the cooking time). The noodles should be slightly undercooked since they will finish cooking in the oven.
Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to stop the cooking process. Lay them flat on a tray or large bowl of cold water to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Layering the Lasagna

Preheat your oven to 375°F.
In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread ½ cup of the meat sauce on the bottom to prevent the noodles from sticking.
Place 5-6 noodles over the sauce to form the first layer.
Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by one-third of the meat sauce.
Repeat the layers: another layer of noodles, the remaining cheese mixture, and another one-third of the meat sauce.
For the final layer, place the last set of noodles on top and finish with the remaining meat sauce.
Sprinkle the top with grated mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake

Cover the lasagna with foil (lightly greased to prevent sticking).
Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
Let the lasagna rest for 20-30 minutes before cutting and serving.

Notes

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh garlic, basil, and high-quality cheese will enhance the overall flavor of your lasagna.
Undercook your noodles: Cooking your noodles only 2/3 of the time ensures they won’t become mushy in the final dish.
Let it rest: Allowing the lasagna to sit for 20 minutes before serving helps the layers set, making it easier to cut clean slices.