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Classic Lasagna with Meat Sauce

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A comforting and easy-to-follow classic lasagna recipe featuring a rich, slow-simmered meat sauce layered with creamy ricotta and gooey mozzarella cheese, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 9 to 12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat in a skillet. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7–10 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  3. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook gently for 15–20 minutes until sauce thickens. Stir occasionally.
  4. If using regular noodles, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package instructions until al dente (8–10 minutes). Drain and lay flat on a lightly oiled surface to prevent sticking.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir gently until smooth and creamy. Add a teaspoon of milk if mixture is too thick.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  7. Layer 3–4 noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture evenly over noodles. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella on top, then ladle one-third of the meat sauce over the cheese.
  8. Repeat layers two more times: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and meat sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
  9. Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  10. Let lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set.

Notes

Do not rush resting the lasagna after baking to prevent it from falling apart. If sauce is too watery before layering, simmer longer to thicken. Brown the beef well for richer flavor. Use fresh herbs when possible for brightness. Assemble a day ahead for deeper flavors and save prep time.

Nutrition

Keywords: classic lasagna, meat sauce, easy lasagna recipe, family dinner, comfort food, baked pasta, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, ground beef

Find it online: https://evabake.com/classic-lasagna-recipe-easy-step-by-step-meat-sauce-dinner-idea/