Description
A classic Italian-American Cheesy Beef Lasagna featuring layers of rich ground beef marinara, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella, baked to bubbly, golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting family meal with an easy-to-follow recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
Assembly
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and chopped onion until the beef is browned and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat. Add minced garlic, marinara sauce, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Simmer the sauce for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Mix the Ricotta Cheese: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese and large egg. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread one-third of the meat sauce evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles on top. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella and some grated Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers: sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Finally, top with the remaining noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for 15–20 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, assemble the lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate overnight before baking.
- You can freeze the lasagna before or after baking for convenient future meals.
