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Classic Meat Lasagna

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Classic Meat Lasagna is a hearty, oven-baked Italian-American favorite featuring layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or make-ahead meals.

Ingredients

  • 9–12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef or beef/sausage mix
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook noodles if not using no-boil. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft, about 3–5 minutes.
  4. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain fat.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 15–20 minutes.
  6. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with egg, Parmesan, and a pinch of salt until combined.
  7. Spread a layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add noodles, then ricotta mixture, then mozzarella. Repeat layers, ending with sauce and a final layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
  8. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
  9. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

  • Use no-boil noodles for quicker assembly; just ensure your sauce is slightly thinner to hydrate them properly during baking.
  • Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it hold together better when sliced.
  • For added flavor, mix ground beef with Italian sausage.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/classic-meat-lasagna/