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The Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe: Ultimate Comfort Food with Creamy Ricotta

Close-up of a thick, perfectly layered slice of homemade lasagna with rich meat sauce and melted cheese topping.
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You deserve the ultimate comfort food experience! This recipe delivers rich, cheesy layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and perfectly tender pasta. It is the best homemade lasagna recipe for family dinners or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lasagna noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until tender. Drain them and lay them flat on wax paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
  3. Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Prepare the ricotta filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  8. Arrange a layer of cooked noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping if necessary.
  9. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  10. Sprinkle one-third of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  11. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
  12. Repeat the layers: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of the mozzarella, and the remaining meat sauce.
  13. Top with the final layer of noodles and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and a little extra Parmesan cheese on top.
  14. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  15. Bake for 25 minutes covered. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned.
  16. Let the lasagna rest on the counter for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set for cleaner cuts.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, use a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage in your meat sauce.
  • If you want to make this a make-ahead lasagna meal prep, assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • If you prefer a less sweet sauce, use crushed tomatoes instead of tomato sauce, or add a pinch of sugar to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookifyme.com/best-homemade-lasagna-recipe-creamy-ricotta/