Best Homemade Lasagna (Printable Recipe)

A hearty lasagna layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese for the ultimate comfort dish.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Meat Sauce

01 - 1 tbsp olive oil
02 - 1 cup onion, chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 lb ground beef
05 - 1/2 lb ground pork
06 - 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
08 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
12 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Ricotta Filling

13 - 16 oz full-fat ricotta cheese
14 - 1 large egg
15 - 1/4 tsp dried basil
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Lasagna Layers

17 - 9 lasagna noodles, uncooked
18 - 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
19 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef and pork, cook until browned. Drain fat, season with salt and pepper. Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, sugar, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
02 - In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, dried basil, salt, and pepper until smooth. Set aside.
03 - Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom. Add 3 noodles, top with 1/3 of meat sauce, 1/3 of ricotta filling, and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat layering twice more. Finish with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
05 - Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Use quality canned tomatoes for a richer sauce.
02 - Do not overcook noodles, they will finish cooking in the oven.
03 - Allow lasagna to rest before slicing for clean layers.
04 - For added flavor, substitute pork with Italian sausage.

Go Back