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Classic Lasagna Recipe Easy Cheesy Baked Comfort Food You’ll Love

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A comforting classic lasagna with cheesy baked perfection, featuring layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese mixture. Perfect for family gatherings and cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (or substitute with ground turkey)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente (or no-boil noodles)
  • Salt, for pasta water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Meat Sauce (20-25 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Cook the Lasagna Noodles (10-12 minutes): Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add lasagna noodles and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay noodles flat on parchment or lightly oiled baking sheet to prevent sticking.
  3. Mix the Cheese Filling (5 minutes): In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, half of the shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir until well blended.
  4. Assemble the Lasagna (10-15 minutes): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Lay 3 noodles side by side over the sauce. Spread one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, then one-third of the meat sauce. Repeat layering two more times, finishing with remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
  5. Bake the Lasagna (40-45 minutes): Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  6. Rest Before Serving (10 minutes): Let the lasagna sit out of the oven for about 10 minutes to set the layers for easier slicing.

Notes

Do not overcook noodles; slightly undercooked noodles finish cooking in the oven. Drain excess grease after browning meat to avoid greasy sauce. Cover lasagna with foil during baking to prevent burning. Let lasagna rest before slicing for cleaner pieces. Use fresh herbs for brighter flavor. Multitask by preparing sauce, noodles, and cheese filling simultaneously.

Nutrition

Keywords: classic lasagna, easy lasagna, cheesy lasagna, baked lasagna, comfort food, family dinner, Italian recipe

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