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Easy Lasagna Recipe

Easy Lasagna Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 15 reviews

This easy lasagna recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese filling, and gooey mozzarella, all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for family dinners or special occasions, it’s a satisfying Italian classic made simple with uncooked noodles and a delicious homemade meat sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 48 oz prepared spaghetti sauce

Cheese Filling

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tsp dried parsley or 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Assembly and Topping

  • 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup water (if using thick sauce)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
  2. Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and sweet Italian sausage until fully browned, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat, then add minced garlic and prepared spaghetti sauce. If the sauce is thick, add 1/4 cup water to loosen. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors, then remove from heat.
  3. Mix Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese), 2 cups shredded mozzarella, eggs, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
  4. Assemble Lasagna: Spread about 3/4 cup of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 3 uncooked lasagna noodles on top. Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture evenly over noodles, followed by 1/4 of the remaining meat sauce. Repeat layering noodles, cheese mixture, and sauce two more times. Finish with a final layer of noodles, cover with remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle with 1 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. If sauce is thick, pour 1/4 cup water along pan edges.
  5. Cover and Bake: Spray aluminum foil with cooking spray and cover the dish, sprayed side down. Bake for 50 minutes at 350ºF.
  6. Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, until cheese on top is melted and golden. Optionally broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispier top.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set for easier serving.

Notes

  • Using fresh parsley adds a brighter flavor, but dried works well too.
  • If your spaghetti sauce is very thick, adding water helps cook noodles and prevent dryness.
  • Resting the lasagna before cutting ensures clean, neat slices.
  • You can substitute cottage cheese for ricotta for a lighter option.
  • Broiling at the end gives a nice golden-brown and crispy cheese topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy lasagna, classic lasagna recipe, baked pasta, Italian dinner, cheesy lasagna, meat lasagna

Find it online: https://www.sanacooks.com/easy-lasagna-recipe/