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The Best Classic Homemade Beef Lasagna

A thick, layered slice of homemade lasagna topped with melted mozzarella cheese and rich meat sauce.
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Make this classic Italian-American lasagna featuring rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and layers of melted mozzarella. It is simple to assemble and perfect for family dinners or freezer meals.

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
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain the noodles and set them aside.
  3. While the noodles cook, prepare the meat sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and onion. Cook until the beef is browned. Drain off any excess fat.
  4. Stir in the minced garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese. This is your cheese filling.
  6. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  7. Arrange a layer of cooked noodles over the sauce.
  8. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles.
  9. Sprinkle one-third of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  10. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
  11. Repeat the layers: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, one-third of the mozzarella, and the rest of the meat sauce.
  12. Top with the final layer of noodles and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  13. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  14. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  15. Let the lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • You can prepare this lasagna completely ahead of time. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 10 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • For a make-ahead freezer meal, assemble the lasagna in a disposable foil pan, cover tightly with two layers of foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking, or bake from frozen by adding about 45 minutes to the total cook time.
  • If you are looking for alternatives to traditional cooking methods, consider using a sous-vide precision cooker for certain components, though this recipe is designed for oven baking.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://delicerecipe.com/classic-homemade-beef-lasagna-recipe/