Description
Hearty homemade lasagna brings layers of Italian comfort to dinner tables. Rich pasta sheets, savory meat sauce, and creamy cheese create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (450 grams) ground beef
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (24 ounces/680 grams) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) crushed tomatoes
Instructions
- Craft the robust meat sauce by sautéing onions in olive oil until translucent, then quickly incorporate garlic for 60 seconds. Brown ground beef thoroughly, eliminating excess grease.
- Enrich the sauce with tomato sauce, paste, crushed tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Simmer the mixture for 25-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Prepare the creamy cheese blend by whisking ricotta with egg, then folding in mozzarella, Parmesan, and fresh parsley until uniformly combined.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and select a 9×13 inch baking vessel. Create a foundation with a thin meat sauce layer.
- Construct lasagna layers strategically: place pasta sheets, spread cheese mixture, and generously cover with meat sauce. Repeat layering process, ensuring the final top layer is meat sauce.
- Generously crown the lasagna with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy finish.
- Shield the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 15-20 minutes until cheese melts and develops a tempting golden-brown crust.
- Allow lasagna to rest 10 minutes before serving, enabling layers to set and flavors to harmonize.
Notes
- Adjust meat sauce seasoning by tasting and adding more herbs or spices for a personalized flavor profile.
- Ensure ground beef is completely browned and drained to prevent excess grease in the lasagna.
- Allow meat sauce to simmer longer for deeper, richer flavors that develop over time.
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for a more vibrant and aromatic dish.
- For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Pre-cook lasagna noodles to reduce overall baking time and ensure even cooking.
- Let lasagna rest after baking to help layers set and make slicing easier.
- Freeze individual portions for quick and convenient meal prep.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg