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The Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe: Rich Meat Sauce and Creamy Ricotta

A thick, cheesy slice of homemade lasagna with rich meat sauce layers, served on a white plate.
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You will love this classic, layered lasagna featuring a rich ground beef meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese filling, and plenty of melted mozzarella. It is the ultimate comfort food for your family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lasagna noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain them and lay them flat on parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess fat.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This develops the rich flavor.
  5. In a medium bowl, prepare the cheese filling. Mix the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, and nutmeg until well combined.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Begin layering the lasagna. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  8. Arrange a layer of cooked noodles over the sauce.
  9. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  10. Sprinkle one-third of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  11. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
  12. Repeat the layers: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of the mozzarella, and the rest of the meat sauce.
  13. Top with the final layer of noodles, the remaining mozzarella cheese, and a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese.
  14. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
  15. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
  16. Let the lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set for clean cuts.

Notes

  • For cleaner slices, you can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover it, and refrigerate. Add about 10 minutes to the initial covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • If you want a slightly sweeter sauce, add 1 teaspoon of sugar to the simmering meat sauce.
  • Use no-boil lasagna noodles if you want to skip the boiling step, but adjust the liquid in your sauce slightly to ensure the noodles hydrate properly during baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/best-homemade-lasagna-recipe-rich-meat-sauce/