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Best Lasagna

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This Best Lasagna recipe combines savory Italian sausage, ground beef, rich tomato sauce, and gooey melted cheese into a comforting and flavorful dish. With layers of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. A classic lasagna recipe you’ll love!

Ingredients

9 lasagna noodles

11/4 pounds bulk Italian sausage

3/4 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 15 ounces) crushed tomatoes

2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste

2/3 cup water

2 to 3 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, divided

2 teaspoons dried basil

3/4 teaspoon fennel seed

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese

4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

  • Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.

  • In a large skillet, cook Italian sausage and ground beef over medium heat, breaking the meat apart. Once browned, remove excess fat. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook until softened (3-4 minutes).

  • Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 3 tablespoons of parsley, dried basil, fennel seed, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

  • While the sauce simmers, mix ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Set aside.

  • Combine shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan in a separate bowl.

  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, then top with one-third of the ricotta mixture, followed by one-third of the meat sauce and cheese blend.

  • Repeat the layering process two more times—noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and cheese—ending with the cheese blend on top.

  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

  • Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can prepare the lasagna a day ahead, refrigerating it overnight before baking.

For no-boil noodles, ensure you add extra sauce to ensure proper cooking.

For extra veggies, try adding sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.