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The Ultimate Comfort Lasagna: Classic Layers Made Easy

A thick, perfectly layered slice of ultimate comfort lasagna with rich meat sauce and melted cheese.
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You will love this rich, cheesy, homemade lasagna recipe. We break down the steps for perfect layers, a savory meat sauce, and a creamy ricotta filling, making this classic comfort food dinner simple enough for any weeknight but impressive enough for a crowd.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound lasagna noodles
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 (15 ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the meat sauce: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  3. Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This rich meat sauce is key!
  5. Prepare the cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and parsley. Mix well.
  6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
  7. Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared dish.
  8. Arrange a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.
  9. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
  10. Sprinkle one-third of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta layer.
  11. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the mozzarella.
  12. Repeat the layers: noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, another third of the mozzarella, and the rest of the meat sauce.
  13. Top with the final layer of noodles, the remaining mozzarella cheese, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  14. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
  15. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned. This is the best lasagna ever!
  16. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set for perfect slices.

Notes

  • For a make ahead lasagna, assemble the entire dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add about 15 minutes to the covered baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
  • If you want a Million Dollar Lasagna style richness, substitute half of the ground beef with ground veal or use a blend of three meats (beef, sausage, veal).
  • If you prefer a quicker method, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles, but check your package instructions for liquid adjustments.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenuser.net/best-lasagna-classic-homemade-layers-easy/