Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe
If you’re looking for the ultimate comfort food that warms both the kitchen and your heart, this Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe is pure bliss in a baking dish! Layers of tender noodles, savory beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and glorious gooey cheese come together in a bubbling, golden masterpiece. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just to spoil yourself, this recipe never fails to satisfy cravings or draw out big smiles around the dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of an Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe is how a handful of classic ingredients can create layers of incredible flavor. Each plays a crucial role—from the richness of the cheese to the tang of tomato and the warmth of garlic and beef.
- Lasagna noodles (12): Traditional or oven-ready noodles work—these form the perfect hearty structure for your lasagna.
- Ground beef (1 lb): Adds savory depth; swap for turkey or plant-based crumbles if you like.
- Onion (1 small, diced): Infuses sweetness and enhances flavor in the sauce.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Brings warmth and a kick that makes all the difference.
- Marinara or pasta sauce (24 oz): Picks up all those meaty and aromatic notes and ties them together.
- Ricotta cheese (15 oz): Creamy, dreamy texture for those signature lasagna layers.
- Egg (1 large): Helps bind the ricotta filling for sturdy, sliceable layers.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): Melty magic—makes that irresistible cheese pull!
- Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup): Salty, nutty, and totally necessary for the ultimate topping.
- Chopped fresh parsley (1 tbsp) or dried (1 tsp): A pop of color and freshness layered into the ricotta.
- Salt (1 tsp): Brings out the flavors in every component.
- Black pepper (½ tsp): Adds just the right touch of gentle heat.
- Olive oil (for boiling noodles): A drizzle keeps noodles from sticking and boosts flavor a bit.
How to Make Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Noodles
Bring a big pot of salted water with a drizzle of olive oil to a rolling boil. Add your lasagna noodles and cook them to just al dente, following the package directions—usually about 8–10 minutes. Once done, drain them and lay them flat on a clean surface or parchment paper to cool; this helps them stay nice and separate as you assemble your lasagna.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Sauce
Grab your favorite skillet and set it over medium heat. Saute the diced onion with ground beef for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring and breaking everything up as you go. Once it’s browned, add in the minced garlic for a fragrant touch and cook for another minute. If there’s excess grease, drain it off, then stir in the marinara sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer this mixture for about 5 minutes so all the flavors can meet and mingle.
Step 3: Mix the Ricotta Layer
In a medium bowl, combine the creamy ricotta, one large egg, chopped parsley (or dried, if that’s what you have), and half the Parmesan. Stir until smooth and uniform. This luscious mixture creates the layer that brings creamy texture to the Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
Time to layer up! Start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce along the bottom of your 9×13-inch baking dish to keep the noodles from sticking. Add your first four noodles side by side, then spread with a third of the ricotta mixture, a third of the meat sauce, and a third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with a final heaping of meat sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover your masterpiece with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes—this helps it stay moist and gooey. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top turns bubbly and beautifully golden. Let the lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. This rest time is magic: it allows the layers to set up for those restaurant-quality slices!
How to Serve Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
Freshly chopped parsley or basil is the classic finishing touch, adding a flourish of green and a burst of herbaceous flavor. A final scatter of extra Parmesan right out of the oven never hurts—think of it as confetti for your lasagna celebration!
Side Dishes
To round out the experience, serve this Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe with a crisp Caesar salad, a platter of roasted vegetables, or classic garlic bread. The light, bright flavors of a salad or the satisfying crunch of bread perfectly balances the richness of lasagna.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try baking the lasagna in individual ramekins for personal portions, or cut the baked lasagna into elegant squares and stack on a plate with a drizzle of extra sauce and a basil leaf on top. It’s impressive, party-worthy, and just as delicious as ever!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover lasagna keeps wonderfully in the fridge for up to four days. Once it’s cooled completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container—this keeps the flavors vibrant and the layers moist for easy reheating later.
Freezing
Lasagna is a freezer superstar! After baking and cooling, wrap portions tightly in plastic and aluminum foil, or use freezer-safe containers. Pop in the freezer for up to three months. If you prefer, you can freeze the whole assembled (but unbaked) lasagna and bake it straight from frozen, adding about 20 extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, cover a portion with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through (about 25–30 minutes for a large slice). You can also microwave individual servings—just add a splash of water and cover to keep things steamy and moist. Either way, you’ll have a plate of glorious, cheesy comfort in no time!
FAQs
Can I use oven-ready noodles instead of traditional ones?
Absolutely! Oven-ready noodles are a fantastic shortcut and save a bit of prep time. Just be sure to add a little more sauce so the noodles can soften fully in the oven while baking your Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe.
Is it possible to make lasagna vegetarian?
Definitely—just swap the ground beef for your favorite sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini, or use plant-based meat substitutes. You still get all the cheesy layers and bold flavors, with a plant-powered twist.
Can I prepare Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! Lasagna is ideal for making ahead. Assemble the whole dish up to a day in advance, stash it in the fridge, then bake just before you’re ready to eat. This is a lifesaver for busy weeks or when you’re hosting dinner guests.
What’s the best way to cut and serve perfect lasagna slices?
Letting the cooked lasagna rest for at least 10–15 minutes before cutting is key. Use a sharp knife and a wide spatula for beautiful, intact layers that hold together and look stunning on a plate.
How do I adapt this recipe for a crowd or a smaller group?
This Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe is easy to scale! For a big crowd, double it and bake in two pans. For just a couple people, assemble in a smaller dish and halve the ingredients—just watch the baking time, as smaller pans cook a bit faster.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe brings together all the classic flavors you love in one glorious, bubbling pan. Don’t be surprised if everyone asks for seconds—it’s that irresistible! Give it a try, and let this beloved recipe become a new favorite in your kitchen.
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Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe is a classic, comforting dish that’s perfect for family dinners. Layers of lasagna noodles, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese come together to create a mouthwatering meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles:
12 lasagna noodles
Ground Beef Mixture:
1 lb ground beef, 1 small onion (diced), 3 cloves garlic (minced), 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, olive oil (for boiling noodles)
Cheese Mixture:
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Lasagna Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Ground Beef: In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until browned. Add marinara sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Mix Cheese: In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
- Assemble Lasagna: Layer meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Repeat layers. Bake covered, then uncovered.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest before slicing and serving.
Notes
- You can use oven-ready noodles to save time.
- Feel free to substitute ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles.
- This lasagna can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for later enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
