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Easy & Cheesy Homemade Lasagna

Easy & Cheesy Homemade Lasagna

A hearty, cheesy, and delicious homemade lasagna that’s easy to make and perfect for family dinners! This recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, making it the ultimate comfort food.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Rest time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian-American
Servings 9

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 24 oz jar marinara sauce (or homemade)
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

For the Ricotta Layer:

  • 1 15 oz container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

For Assembling the Lasagna:

  • 12 lasagna noodles cooked & drained
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Meat Sauce

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
  • Add onions and cook for 3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  • Pour in marinara sauce and diced tomatoes, then add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  • Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

  • In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, and salt. Mix until smooth.

Assemble the Lasagna

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of meat sauce at the bottom.
  • Layer 3 cooked lasagna noodles on top.
  • Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
  • Sprinkle ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  • Repeat the layers two more times, finishing with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the rest of the mozzarella & Parmesan cheese.

Bake the Lasagna

  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake uncovered for 15 more minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot!

Pro Tips for the Best Lasagna:

  • ✔ Use no-boil noodles – Saves time, but add extra sauce to keep them soft.
  • ✔ Let it rest before slicing – This keeps layers intact.
  • ✔ Add spinach or mushrooms – For extra flavor & nutrition.
  • ✔ Make it ahead – Assemble & refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Notes

  • No ricotta? Use cottage cheese for a similar creamy texture.
  • Make it vegetarian? Swap meat for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or lentils.
  • Freeze it? Assemble the lasagna, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 1 hour.
Keyword cheesy lasagna, easy lasagna, family dinner, homemade lasagna
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