Description
This is hands down the Best Lasagna Recipe ever! Easy, cheesy, meaty and so so delicious! Layer up the hearty meat sauce, different cheeses and lasagna pasta and then bake until hot and bubbly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (93/7)
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
- 1 cup water
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese, grated
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Step 2: In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in onion and saute 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and ground beef. Break meat apart as it browns. Once meat has browned completely, pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian Seasoning and salt. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook sauce 1-2 hours or until very thick.
- Step 3: Stir cheeses together in a bowl with basil, parsley, salt & black pepper. Set aside.
- Step 4: Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Salt generously and cook lasagna noodles 2/3 of the suggested cook time found on the package (about 7 minutes). Drain and place noodles in a large bowl of cold water.
- Step 5: Spread 1/2 cup prepared sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Layer in 5-6 noodles across the bottom to completely cover. Spread half of the cheese mixture overtop of the noodles and then one third of the sauce. Top with another layer of noodles, the second half of the cheese mixture and another third of the sauce. Final layer is the last of the noodles and the last of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.
- Step 6: Cover lasagna with greased foil. Bake at 375° F for 45 minutes with foil on. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes or until cheese has browned and everything it hot and bubbling. Remove from oven, cover lightly with foil, and rest 20-30 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
Cook the meat sauce for a long time to concentrate flavors and reduce liquid for cleaner slices. Let the lasagna rest for 20-30 minutes after baking to allow the layers to set.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 348 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 562 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg
Keywords: best lasagna, classic lasagna, italian dinner, italian lasagna, lasagna, lasagna recipe, pasta