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4.5 from 495 votes

Best Recipe for Lasagna

This is hands down the Best Lasagna Recipe ever! Easy, cheesy, meaty and so so delicious! Layer up the hearty meat sauce, different cheeses and lasagna pasta and then bake until hot and bubbly.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
3 hrs
Additional Time
20 mins
Total Time
3 hrs 40 mins
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 348 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

for the meat sauce-
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef 93/7
  • 1 .5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
for the cheese layer-
  • 8 oz mozzarella cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
remaining ingredients-
  • 1 pound lasagna noodles
  • 4 oz mozzarella cheese grated, for topping

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
make the meat sauce-
  1. In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in onion and saute 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and ground beef. Break meat apart as it browns.
  2. Once meat has browned completely, pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian Seasoning and salt.
  3. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook sauce 1-2 hours or until very thick. You may have to add a little extra water as it reduces down to prevent scorching. This is normal.
make the cheese filling-
  1. While meat sauce cooks, make the cheese layer: stir cheeses together in a bowl with basil, parsley, salt & black pepper. Set aside.
boil the noodles-
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Salt generously and cook lasagna noodles 2/3 of the suggested cook time found on the package (about 7 minutes). Drain and place noodles in a large bowl of cold water.
layering the lasagna-
  1. Spread 1/2 cup prepared sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Layer in 5-6 noodles across the bottom to completely cover. Spread half of the cheese mixture overtop of the noodles and then one third of the sauce.
  2. Top with another layer of noodles, the second half of the cheese mixture and another third of the sauce.
  3. Final layer is the last of the noodles and the last of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella cheese.*
  4. Cover lasagna with greased foil. Bake at 375° F for 45 minutes with foil on.
  5. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes or until cheese has browned and everything it hot and bubbling.
  6. Remove from oven, cover lightly with foil, and rest 20-30 minutes before cutting and serving.
  7. Sprinkle with dried basil or parsley flakes, cut into squares, and serve.

Notes

  • *Here is the order of the layers:
  • *Here is the order of the layers:
  • Meat Sauce (just a little so the noodles don't stick to the bottom)
  • Noodles
  • Cheese Filling
  • Meat Sauce
  • Noodles
  • Cheese Filling
  • Meat Sauce
  • Noodles
  • Meat Sauce
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Meat Sauce (just a little so the noodles don't stick to the bottom)
  • Noodles
  • Cheese Filling
  • Meat Sauce
  • Noodles
  • Cheese Filling
  • Meat Sauce
  • Noodles
  • Meat Sauce
  • Mozzarella Cheese

Nutrition Information

Calories 348kcal (17%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 8g (40%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 7g Trans Fat 0.3g Cholesterol 58mg (19%) Sodium 562mg (23%) Potassium 233mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 335IU (7%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 232mg (23%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 348

% Daily Value*

Calories 348kcal 17%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 19g 38%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 7g 35%
Trans Fat 0.3g 15%
Cholesterol 58mg 19%
Sodium 562mg 23%
Potassium 233mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 335IU 7%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 232mg 23%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.