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35-Minute Classic Homemade Lasagna That Melts Hearts

classic homemade lasagna
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A classic homemade lasagna with layers of meat sauce, ricotta cheese filling, and melted mozzarella.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef (or half beef/half Italian sausage)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 24 oz marinara sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley (plus more for topping)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)

Instructions

  1. Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until just al dente. Drain and lay flat on a sheet pan.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain excess grease.
  3. Stir in marinara, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 10 minutes.
  4. In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  6. Add noodles, then ricotta mixture, then meat sauce, then mozzarella. Repeat layers (about 3 layers total), finishing with meat sauce + a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
  7. Cover with foil (sprayed with a little oil so cheese doesn’t stick) and bake 25 minutes.
  8. Uncover and bake 15–20 minutes more until bubbly and lightly golden.
  9. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing. Top with parsley and serve.

Notes

  • Use oven-ready noodles to skip boiling.
  • Let lasagna rest before slicing for cleaner cuts.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes for more or less heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: classic homemade lasagna, lasagna with meat sauce, ricotta mozzarella lasagna, easy lasagna dinner, baked pasta casserole, comfort food dinner

Find it online: https://mealcooked.com/classic-homemade-lasagna-recipe/