Easy Lasagna Recipe

This Lasagna Recipe is easy to make with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, savory meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. BONUS: it’s make-ahead and freezer-friendly!

I suppose since I have recipes for Skillet Lasagna, Lasagna Soup, Lasagna Roll Ups, and Taco Lasagna, we are long overdue for me to share my easy, classic lasagna recipe.

This recipe has simple ingredients but tons of flavor with a creamy ricotta mixture, savory meat sauce, and lots of mozzarella cheese.

Spoon meat sauce on the bottom of a lightly greased casserole dish. Add 4 boiled lasagna noodles (or use no-boil or fresh noodles). Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture on top. Add 1.5 cups of meat sauce.

Top with mozzarella cheese. Cover and bake at 375° for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 15 more minutes. Broil at the end if desired. Let it rest for 15 minutes prior to serving with Garlic Bread With Cheese.

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easy lasagna recipe

Easy Lasagna Recipe

easy lasagna recipe

This Lasagna Recipe is easy to make with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, savory meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. BONUS: it’s make-ahead and freezer-friendly!

Prep: 40min

Total: 100min

Yield: 12

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 487 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Protein 31 g, Fat 27 g, Saturated Fat 13 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 107 mg, Sodium 1207 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, unSaturated Fat 12 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 15 oz. ricotta cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion (finely diced)
  • ¾ lb. ground beef
  • ¾ lb. ground Italian sausage
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 40 oz. marinara sauce (see notes)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 12 lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
  • 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese

Instruction:

  1. Combine the cheese filling ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients.
  2. Add the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the pot. Add the marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover partially and let the sauce simmer gently.
  3. Lay the cooled noodles flat on wax or parchment paper while you begin assembling the lasagna.
  4. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray-side-down on top of the baking dish to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.
  5. Remove and garnish with fresh parsley. Let it sit for 15 minutes prior to serving to allow the layers to set. Serve with garlic bread with cheese.

Easy Homemade Lasagna

easy lasagna recipe

Homemade lasagna is a classic, delicious dinner that every family should have in their recipe rotation.

Prep: 30min

Total: 105min

Yield: 12

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 377 kcal, Carbohydrate 28 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 16 g, Saturated Fat 7 g, Cholesterol 71 mg, Sodium 857 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
  • 4 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded and divided)
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese (shredded and divided)
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound Italian sausage
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 36 ounces pasta sauce (*see note)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped)
  • 1 egg (beaten)

Instruction:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large pot of salted water, boil lasagna noodles until al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet or dutch oven, brown beef, sausage, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
  3. Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes or until thickened.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine 1 ½ cups mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ricotta, parsley, egg, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in a 9×13 pan or casserole dish. Top it with 3 lasagna noodles. Layer with ⅓ of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat twice more. Finish with 3 noodles topped with remaining sauce.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  7. Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining 2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup parmesan cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Broil for 2-3 minutes if desired.
  8. Rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting.

Extra-Easy Lasagna

easy lasagna recipe

When we say easy, we mean easy. You don’t even have to cook the noodles for this speedy yet impressive lasagna that always gets rave reviews. Lasagna is a family favorite, but this version is extra-special because it only requires 5 quick ingredients: ground beef, pasta sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella (we don’t count the water!). It’s rated 5 stars for a reason. Pro tip: Make a double batch: Enjoy one now and freeze one for a quick meal on a busy weeknight.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 4 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce
  • 6 uncooked lasagna noodles
  • 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 2 ½ cups (10 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup hot water

Instruction:

  1. Cook beef in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Stir in pasta sauce.
  2. Spread one-third of meat sauce in a lightly greased 11- x 7-inch baking dish; layer with 3 noodles and half each of ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese. (The ricotta cheese layers will be thin.) Repeat procedure; spread remaining one-third of meat sauce over mozzarella cheese. Slowly pour 1/4 cup hot water around inside edge of dish. Tightly cover baking dish with 2 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
  3. Bake at 375° for 45 minutes; uncover and bake 10 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
  4. Note: For testing purposes only, we used Classico Tomato & Basil pasta sauce.

How To Make The Easiest, Cheesiest Lasagna Ever | Delish Insanely Easy

FAQ

Which is better for lasagna cottage or ricotta?

Is lasagna better with ricotta cheese or cottage cheese? This is a matter of personal preference but honestly, homemade lasagna tastes just as good with either ricotta cheese or cottage cheese. Cottage cheese will give you a slightly lighter lasagna while ricotta will give you a bit thicker, more rich texture.

What is the correct order to layer lasagna?

How to layer lasagna:
  1. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce in the bottom of a baking dish.
  2. Make a layer of cooked lasagna noodles.
  3. Spread an even layer of the ricotta cheese mixture.
  4. Spread an even layer of meat sauce.
  5. Repeat those layers two times.
  6. Top it with a final layer of noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.

What are the 3 main components of a lasagne?

Also, take heart in the fact that lasagna really has only three components — the noodles, sauce and cheese.

Do you have to cover lasagna when you bake it in the oven?

If you leave your lasagna uncovered in the oven, it will become dry. Fight back with a foil-topped tray for a portion of the baking time. Once the lasagna has baked halfway through, remove the foil so the top can brown. If, once it’s fully cooked, the top still looks pale, turn on the broiler to help move things along.

About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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