Easy Homemade Lasagna: A Simple Recipe for Delicious Comfort Food

Lasagna is a dish that holds a special place in my heart, often bringing friends and family together for a comforting meal. This beloved recipe features layers of tender pasta combined with a rich tomato sauce, a savory meat filling, and a generous amount of cheese, all baked to perfection.

Despite the multiple steps involved, I find that making homemade lasagna is quite manageable, yielding a dish packed with flavor. Utilizing simple ingredients that I usually have in my kitchen, I appreciate how this recipe can easily accommodate a larger crowd and even be prepared in advance, making it perfect for gatherings.

Lasagna Ingredients

The filling for my lasagna features a blend of ricotta and parmesan cheeses, enhanced with flavorful seasonings. I often prepare my own ricotta, but cottage cheese serves as a suitable substitute.

For the meat, I use a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef to achieve a rich taste. If I opt for only beef, I add a pinch of fennel seeds and some Italian seasoning to elevate the flavor. Alternatively, I can prepare homemade Italian sausage.

For the sauce, I prefer using pasta sauce or marinara. I sometimes make it from scratch with crushed and canned tomatoes, but when I choose a pre-made option, Rao’s is my favorite for its robust flavor.

I also enjoy adding spinach for an extra layer of taste. If using it, I thaw 10 ounces of frozen spinach, remove excess moisture, and mix it into the cheese layer.

How to Create Lasagna

How to Layer Lasagna

To start layering, I first spread around a cup of meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. After that, I add a layer of lasagna noodles on top.

Next, I top the noodles with a portion of the ricotta cheese mixture. I repeat this process until I’ve used all the ingredients, ensuring I finish with a final layer of noodles followed by sauce.

Layer Order:

1. Meat Sauce
2. Noodles
3. Cheese Mixture

I repeat this order twice more, finishing with noodles and sauce on top.

After assembling the layers, I cover the pan with aluminum foil. This step is crucial to prevent dryness during baking. I bake it for about 45 minutes while covered, then remove the foil, adding mozzarella and parmesan cheese to the top. I continue baking for another 15 minutes until the cheese is beautifully browned and bubbly.

Tips for Perfect Lasagna:

• Select a high-quality pasta sauce for better flavor.
• Bake the lasagna for a full hour for best results.
• Keep it covered with foil for most of the cooking time.
• Add cheese during the last 15 minutes for a desirable texture.

Once the lasagna is out of the oven, I let it rest for at least 15 minutes. This resting period helps the lasagna set up, making it easier to slice and serve. It can rest for up to 45 minutes without losing its heat.

To enhance the dining experience, I serve my lasagna alongside a generous slice of homemade garlic bread. A sprinkle of fresh basil or a few tablespoons of parsley adds a nice touch, while a Caesar or Italian salad rounds out the meal. This approach ensures a fulfilling and delicious Italian dinner.

Prepare in Advance

I can prepare lasagna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days prior to baking. It’s also possible to freeze it, whether baked or unbaked.

Freezing Lasagna

I find lasagna is ideal for preparing in advance and freezing. I can make larger batches by doubling or tripling the recipe, then wrap it tightly for storage in the freezer. It remains good for up to 3 months.

To prepare, I thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bake as instructed. If it comes directly from the fridge, it may require an additional 20 minutes of baking.

Reheating Lasagna

To reheat frozen lasagna, I cover it and place it in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes. Alternatively, I can use the microwave for quicker heating.

Additional Baked Pasta Dishes

If you liked this homemade lasagna, I encourage you to explore other delicious baked pasta options. Each recipe offers comforting flavors and satisfying textures. Here are a few to consider:

• Baked Ziti: A classic with ricotta, marinara, and mozzarella.
• Pasta Primavera: Fresh vegetables enhance this vibrant dish.
• Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy and cheesy, a family favorite.

Feel free to leave a rating or share your thoughts!

Easy Homemade Lasagna

Ingredients

• Lasagna Noodles
  12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• Cheese
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
• Seasoning
  • ¾ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• Tomato Sauce
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • ½ pound Italian sausage
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 36 ounces pasta sauce (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Cheese Filling
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 large egg, beaten

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain them, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onion, and minced garlic over medium-high heat until cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
3. Stir in the pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of salt, and a bit of black pepper. Allow it to simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together 1½ cups of mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese, ricotta, parsley, beaten egg, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
5. Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer it with 3 lasagna noodles, followed by ⅓ of the ricotta mixture and another cup of meat sauce. Repeat this process two more times. Finish with 3 noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce.
6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
7. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 2½ cups of mozzarella and ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese on top. Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until it is bubbly and browned. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes for more color if desired.
8. Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Note on Sauce: Each layer has about 1 cup of meat sauce. If you prefer a saucier lasagna, consider using 48 ounces of pasta sauce. Salt levels may vary, so taste after simmering to adjust.

Cheese Layer: The cheese mixture can be adjusted. For thicker layers, divide the cheese between the first two layers and use only meat sauce in the third layer. Increasing ricotta cheese may overpower the dish.

Time-Saving Tip: Opt for fresh lasagna sheets found in the deli area, which eliminates the need for boiling.

It’s beneficial to let the lasagna rest after baking, anywhere from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, to maintain its shape when cut. This resting period is not necessary when reheating.

Substitutions:

• Ricotta can be swapped for cottage cheese.
• You can use only beef in place of the sausage. If you use ground turkey or chicken, add ½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon of fennel seeds if desired.