Homemade Lasagna: Layered Comfort for Family Feast Night Recipe

Introduction

Homemade lasagna is a classic comfort dish that brings warmth and joy to any family meal. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and tender noodles combine to create a satisfying feast perfect for special nights or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

• 12 uncooked Lasagna Noodles (opt for no-boil noodles to save time and effort)
• 0.5 lb Lean Ground Beef (can easily be swapped with ground turkey)
• 0.5 lb Italian Sausage (adds depth; all beef or chicken sausage works too)
• 1 Yellow Onion (diced; use shallots for a sweeter, milder flavor)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced; garlic powder can be utilized for convenience)
• 36 oz Pasta Sauce (homemade gives the best flavor)
• 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste (enhances the sauce’s tomato flavor)
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (fresh herbs like basil and oregano can elevate the taste)
• 0.75 teaspoon Salt (adjust based on flavor preferences)
• 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper (white pepper provides a milder heat if preferred)
• 2 cups Ricotta Cheese (cottage cheese can replace it for a lighter version)
• 4 cups Mozzarella Cheese (divided; swap for provolone if desired)
• 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese (divided; grated Parmesan melts beautifully)
• 1 large Egg (beaten; for a dairy-free version, consider using flaxseed meal)
• 0.25 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped; substitute with basil to add flavor)
• Additional Mozzarella Cheese (use any leftover cheese on top before baking)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
2. Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Rinse under cool water and set aside.
3. Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened. Drain excess fat.
4. Step 4: Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups of mozzarella, ¼ cup of Parmesan, chopped parsley, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until blended.
6. Step 6: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Lay down 3 noodles, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers two more times and finish with the remaining meat sauce on top.
7. Step 7: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, then bake uncovered for another 15 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Step 8: Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This helps create clean slices and enhances the flavors.

Tips & Variations

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
• Use no-boil noodles to skip the boiling step and save time.
• For a vegetarian option, replace meat with sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
• Fresh basil can be used instead of parsley for a more aromatic touch.
• Try adding a layer of roasted vegetables between the meat and cheese layers for extra texture.

Storage

Store leftover lasagna covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in a 350°F oven until heated through. For longer storage, freeze lasagna tightly wrapped for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, lasagna can be assembled a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just add extra baking time if baking directly from cold.

Do I have to boil lasagna noodles?

No, if you use no-boil noodles, you can skip boiling. Just make sure to use enough sauce to keep the noodles moist during baking.

Homemade Lasagna: Layered Comfort for Family Feast Night Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 124 reviews

This homemade lasagna recipe offers a comforting, layered baked pasta dish perfect for a family feast night. Featuring a savory meat sauce with ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese filling, and a topping of melted mozzarella and parmesan, this classic Italian favorite bakes to bubbly, golden perfection.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta

• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles (no-boil noodles optional)

Meat Sauce

• 0.5 lb lean ground beef
• 0.5 lb Italian sausage
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 36 oz pasta sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.75 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Cheese Filling

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (part of 4 cups total)
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (part of 0.5 cup total)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Pinch of salt

Topping

• 2 cups mozzarella cheese (remaining part of 4 cups total)
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (remaining part of 0.5 cup total)
• Additional mozzarella cheese for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Preparation Steps: Gather and prepare all your ingredients, including dicing onions, mincing garlic, and chopping parsley to streamline the cooking process.
2. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the lasagna evenly.
3. Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the lasagna noodles until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water to prevent sticking, then set aside.
4. Prepare Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking up the meat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened. Drain any excess fat. Stir in pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
5. Make Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups mozzarella, 0.25 cup Parmesan, chopped parsley, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix thoroughly until well blended for a smooth, creamy filling.
6. Assemble Lasagna: Spread a layer of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay down 3 noodles side by side, then spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Repeat layering two more times, finishing with the remaining meat sauce on top.
7. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top, and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
8. Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing. This resting time allows the layers to set for cleaner slices and enhanced flavor melding.

Notes

• Using no-boil lasagna noodles can save time by skipping the noodle boiling step.
• Ground turkey or chicken sausage can be substitutes for a leaner meat option.
• Shallots can replace onions for a milder, sweeter flavor.
• For convenience, garlic powder may substitute fresh minced garlic, but fresh imparts stronger flavor.
• Cottage cheese is a lighter alternative to ricotta cheese.
• Flaxseed meal mixed with water is a great vegan substitute for the egg in the cheese filling.
• Fresh basil can replace parsley for a different herbaceous note.
• Allowing the lasagna to rest before serving helps with portioning and flavor development.

Keywords: Homemade lasagna, classic Italian, layered pasta, baked lasagna, comfort food, family dinner