Description
Classic Cheesy Lasagna is a comforting and satisfying Italian-inspired dish made with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel or ricotta, and melty mozzarella. It’s ideal for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese or béchamel sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and garlic; sauté until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20–30 minutes.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce. Add a layer of noodles, then ricotta or béchamel, and sprinkle with mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with meat sauce and remaining cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes, until top is bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles to save time—ensure sauce is generous to hydrate them.
- Substitute ground beef with turkey or a plant-based alternative.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it slice cleanly.
- Freezes well—wrap individual portions for easy reheating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg