This Best Homemade Lasagna recipe is a classic comfort food, perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella come together to create an irresistibly flavorful and satisfying dish. With a slow-simmered sauce and cheesy layers, every bite is a taste of home.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- ¾ lb lean ground beef
- ½ cup minced onion
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5 oz) cans canned tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 ½ tsp dried basil leaves
- ½ tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ tsp salt, or to taste
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
- 12 pre-cooked lasagna noodles
- 16 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ¾ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large dutch oven over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage, ground beef, minced onion, and crushed garlic until the meat is browned and crumbled.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, and sugar.
- Season with salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp of parsley. Lower the heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld.
2. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 2 tbsp of chopped parsley, and ½ tsp salt. Mix until smooth and set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
- Use a 9×13-inch baking dish for layering.
- First Layer: Spread 1 ½ cups of meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the dish.
- Second Layer: Lay down a layer of pre-cooked lasagna noodles to cover the sauce completely.
- Third Layer: Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Fourth Layer: Top with a third of the mozzarella slices.
- Fifth Layer: Spoon 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella and sprinkle with ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Repeat Layers:
- Repeat the layering process, ending with the remaining mozzarella slices and Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil (spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent it from sticking to the cheese).
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes with the foil on. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set. Serve and enjoy this hearty and cheesy dish!
Tips for the Best Lasagna:
- Simmer the Sauce: Letting the meat sauce simmer for at least an hour allows all the flavors to fully develop, resulting in a more robust taste.
- Prevent Sticking: Spraying the foil with oil helps prevent it from sticking to the cheese, which can ruin the top layer’s presentation.
- Let it Rest: After baking, allow the lasagna to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set, making for cleaner slices and a more enjoyable texture.
This Best Homemade Lasagna is rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor—a true crowd-pleaser that never disappoints!
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