When it comes to hearty, comforting meals, nothing beats a classic Homemade Lasagna. This recipe is layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and tender pasta sheets — creating the ultimate cozy dinner for family gatherings, holidays, or simply a Sunday at home.
Why You’ll Love This Lasagna
- Rich and hearty: Perfect layers of meat, cheese, and pasta
- Made from scratch: Fresh, flavorful, and better than store-bought
- Great for meal prep: Freezes beautifully and reheats perfectly
- Crowd-pleaser: A favorite for family dinners, potlucks, and celebrations
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion — finely diced
- Garlic cloves — minced
- Ground beef
- Italian chicken sausage — ground
- Tomato sauce
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Water
- Sugar — a touch to balance acidity
- Dried basil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper
For the Cheese Layer:
- Ricotta cheese
- Egg — helps bind the ricotta
- Fresh parsley — chopped
- Mozzarella cheese — shredded
- Parmesan cheese — grated
Other:
- Lasagna noodles — cooked according to package directions (or use no-boil noodles)
Instructions:
Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Sauté the onions until soft, then add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
Add the ground beef and Italian chicken sausage, breaking it apart and cooking until no longer pink.
Drain excess fat.
Stir in the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, and seasonings.
Simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, and a bit of salt.
Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Layer in order:
- Lasagna noodles
- Ricotta mixture
- Meat sauce
- Mozzarella cheese
Repeat the layers until you reach the top, finishing with a layer of noodles, sauce, and mozzarella. Sprinkle Parmesan generously on top.
Step 4: Bake the Lasagna
Cover the lasagna with foil (tent it so it doesn’t stick to the cheese) and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
Let it rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing to allow it to set.
Tips for the Best Lasagna
- Use a deep dish: Lasagna expands as it bakes, so use a deep 9×13-inch dish
- Don’t rush the resting: Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it slice beautifully
- Homemade meat sauce = game changer: Deep, rich flavor beats jarred sauce every time
- Add more cheese if you love it cheesy: No such thing as too much mozzarella here!
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a simple green salad and garlic bread
- Add a glass of red wine like Chianti for a true Italian dinner
- Serve alongside roasted vegetables for a full meal
This Classic Homemade Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food — layers of love baked into every slice. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or freezing a few portions for later, this is a dish that everyone will request again and again.
Happy cooking!