Lasagna is a classic comfort food, and our recipe is truly the best homemade lasagna recipe you’ll ever try. Ruby Ann and I love making this dish together, especially for family gatherings, because it’s always a hit.
The layers of rich ground beef, tangy tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey mozzarella cheese make this lasagna irresistible. Whether it’s your first time making lasagna or you’re a seasoned pro, this easy lasagna recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
We love how this recipe comes together with simple ingredients like cottage cheese, fresh herbs, and Italian seasoning, creating a meal that’s both comforting and satisfying.
Below, we’ve even shared a video in the FAQ section on how to make it, so you can follow along and see how easy it is!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Classic Comfort: This lasagna is the epitome of classic comfort food, with layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender pasta sheets.
Family Tradition: Ruby Ann and I have made this recipe part of our family traditions. It brings warmth and joy to our gatherings.
Easy to Make: Even if it’s your first time, this easy homemade lasagna recipe is simple to follow, making it accessible for cooks of all levels.
Leftovers are Delicious: The flavors only get better the next day, making leftover lasagna perfect for meal prep or a quick dinner.
Tips for Homemade Lasagna
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and other fresh herbs make a big difference in flavor. Ruby Ann and I always choose the freshest ingredients for the best results.
- Layer Properly: Alternate layers of noodles, meat sauce, and cheese filling evenly. This ensures each bite is packed with flavor.
- Don’t Overcook Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles until they are al dente. Overcooked noodles can become mushy and ruin the texture of your lasagna.
- Let It Rest: After baking, let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to slice.
- Customize Your Sauce: We love adding extra garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a splash of red wine to our marinara sauce for added flavor.
FAQ
How long should I bake lasagna?
Bake lasagna at 375°F for 45 minutes, covered with aluminum foil. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Can I make lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it as directed when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze lasagna?
Absolutely! Frozen lasagna is a great freezer meal. Wrap the unbaked lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Tools you may need
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Large Stock Pot
- Mixing Bowls
- 9×13 Baking Dish
- 12″ Cast Iron Skillet
- Spatula
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Ingredients you will need
• Ground Beef: Provides a rich, meaty base for the lasagna meat sauce.
• Lasagna Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles until they are al dente, forming the layers of pasta in this dish.
• Tomato Sauce & Tomato Paste: These key ingredients create the classic tomato flavor in the sauce.
• Ricotta Cheese & Cottage Cheese: Mixed together for a creamy cheese filling that adds richness to each layer.
• Mozzarella Cheese & Parmesan Cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully on top of the lasagna, creating a golden, bubbly crust.
• Italian Seasoning & Fresh Basil: Adds authentic Italian flavor to the sauce and cheese layers.
How To Make Homemade Lasagna
1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375°F so it’s hot and ready for baking.
2. Cook the Noodles: Boil noodles in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and lay them out flat to prevent sticking.
3. Prepare the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat and add tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and red wine. Simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
4. Mix the Cheese Filling: In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, a beaten egg, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix until smooth.
5. Layer the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of noodles, followed by the ricotta cheese mixture, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and parmesan. Repeat the layers, finishing with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese on the top layer.
6. Bake the Lasagna: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the top of the lasagna is golden brown.
7. Let It Rest: Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes at room temperature before slicing to help it set.
8. Serve and Enjoy: Slice into portions and serve hot. The layers of noodles, meat, and cheese make this a satisfying meal!
Storage Ideas
- Refrigerate: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot.
- Freeze: Freeze individual slices or the entire unbaked lasagna wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Portion Control: Divide lasagna into individual portions before freezing. This makes it easy to grab a single portion for a quick meal.
For even more delicious, homemade treats, explore our favorite cozy recipes below;
- Easy Cast Iron Sourdough Pizza (how to + video)
- Homemade Sourdough Einkorn Pasta (discard or starter)
- Sourdough Lady Fingers Recipe (discard or starter)
- Easy Homemade Tiramisu Recipe (without eggs)
We hope you enjoy this Homemade Lasagna Recipe as much as we do. If you make this recipe, tag us @themoderndaycottage on Instagram and leave a comment below. Don’t forget to 📌 pin this recipe to your 📌 Pinterest board for future baking adventures. Happy Baking!
The Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles *Einkorn Sourdough Pasta or store bought noodles
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella *divided
- ½ cup shredded parmesan
- Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb of ground beef
- 1 diced onion *sautéed until translucent
- 2 cloves of garlic *sautéed with onions for 1 min
- 6 ounces of tomato paste
- 2 quarts of crushed tomatoes or 2x 28 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup of red wine
- 1 tbsp of sugar
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- ½ tsp oregano
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp sea salt
- Cheese Mixture:
- 16- ounce ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup freshly chopped parsley or 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
How To Make
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Soak the Einkorn Sourdough Pasta (or store-bought) noodles in warm water in a large pan for 10 minutes while you sauté the onions and garlic. Prepare your 9×13” casserole dish.
- Sauté the diced onion in a skillet until translucent, 3-5 min. At the last minute, add the garlic until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the sautéed onion and garlic. Cook until thoroughly browned.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, Italian seasoning, basil, pepper, red wine, and salt in a medium-stock pot. Cook until simmering hot on medium-high heat for 15-30 mins. Stir often to ensure the tomato sauce does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
- Add the browned meat, onions, and garlic to the tomato sauce. Stir and cover until ready to assemble the lasagna layers.
- Mix the ricotta cheese in a medium-sized bowl with 1 large room-temp egg, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix until well combined, then set this mixture aside.
- Prepare a casserole dish with butter or coconut oil, then start the layering process. Start with meat sauce first, then noodles, then cheese sauce, and repeat this twice. The last step is to place 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of shredded parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 more minutes, 45 minutes total.
- Once your lasagna is baked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. Then serve warm with a side of bread and, for dessert, tiramisu.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh lasagna noodles if possible. They cook faster and taste better than dried noodles.
- Add a little bit of sugar to your tomato sauce to balance out the acidity.
- Don't skimp on the cheese! A combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan is perfect for lasagna.
- Layer your ingredients evenly, and don't overstuff your lasagna. This will help it cook evenly and prevent it from falling apart.
- Cover your lasagna with foil while baking to prevent the cheese from burning.
- Let your lasagna sit for 10-15 minutes after taking it out of the oven. This will help it set and make it easier to cut and serve.
- Experiment with different ingredients like spinach, mushrooms, or ground turkey to add variety to your lasagna.
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