Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins | Total Time: 2 hrs | Yield: 8 to 12 Servings
This recipe is not fancy at all, nor requires you to break the bank. For this Classic Lasagna, you can use whatever variety of meat you like. Enjoy layers of goodness in one plate!
Ingredients
1 pound box of dry lasagna noodles (you will need 16 noodles. A one-pound box contains 20 noodles, so you will have four extras. Usually a few get broken, so this usually works out)
MEAT SAUCE:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 c chopped onions
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground Italian sausage meat (hot or sweet your choice)
1 28-ounce canned crushed tomatoes (we use Cento)
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp dry oregano
2 tbsp dry basil or 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Pinch red pepper flakes
2 tsp chopped fresh mint
CHEESE MIXTURE:
2 pounds whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 c shredded mozzarella
2 Eggs beaten
1 c grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
½ c chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
OTHER INGREDIENTS:
2 ½ c tomato sauce (see recipe here)
8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced into 12 slices
3 c shredded mozzarella
½ c grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Classic Lasagna
Step 1: Refer to the directions provided on the package of the lasagna noodles on how to cook it.
Step 2: Place a large skillet on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high.
Step 3: Add olive oil and allow it to become hot.
Step 4: Add the onions and sauté for about 2 minutes or until translucent.
Step 5: Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
Step 6: Add the meat and cook until brown.
Step 7: Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, basil, mint, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended.
Step 8: Reduce the heat to medium and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 9: In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup of shredded cheese, beaten eggs, ricotta, chopped parsley, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
Step 10: Prepare the oven and preheat 190 degrees C or 375 degrees F.
Step 11: Spread one cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13x13-inch glass baking dish.
Step 12: Top the sauce with 4 lasagna noodles.
Step 13: Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top, 1/3 of the meat mixture, and 1/2 of the sliced mozzarella. Repeat this process until everything is arranged in layers.
Step 14: Top everything with parchment paper and cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 15: Place inside the oven and bake for 1 hour.
Step 16: Remove the cover and bake for 30 minutes more.
Step 17: Remove from the oven and let it sit at room temperature to cool for about 15 minutes.
Step 18: Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 pound box of dry lasagna noodles (you will need 16 noodles. A one-pound box contains 20 noodles, so you will have four extras. Usually a few get broken, so this usually works out)
- MEAT SAUCE:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 c chopped onions
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage meat (hot or sweet your choice)
- 1 28-ounce canned crushed tomatoes (we use Cento)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 2 tbsp dry basil or 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp chopped fresh mint
- CHEESE MIXTURE:
- 2 pounds whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1 c shredded mozzarella
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 1 c grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ c chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
- OTHER INGREDIENTS:
- 2 ½ c tomato sauce (see recipe here)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced into 12 slices
- 3 c shredded mozzarella
- ½ c grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Refer to the directions provided on the package of the lasagna noodles on how to cook it.
Step 2: Place a large skillet on the stovetop and turn the heat to medium-high.
Step 3: Add olive oil and allow it to become hot.
Step 4: Add the onions and sauté for about 2 minutes or until translucent.
Step 5: Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute or until fragrant.
Step 6: Add the meat and cook until brown.
Step 7: Add tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, red pepper flakes, basil, mint, salt, and pepper. Stir until well blended.
Step 8: Reduce the heat to medium and allow the mixture to simmer for about 10 minutes.
Step 9: In a medium mixing bowl, add 1 cup of shredded cheese, beaten eggs, ricotta, chopped parsley, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
Step 10: Prepare the oven and preheat 190 degrees C or 375 degrees F.
Step 11: Spread one cup of tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9x13x13-inch glass baking dish.
Step 12: Top the sauce with 4 lasagna noodles.
Step 13: Spread 1/3 of the cheese mixture on top, 1/3 of the meat mixture, and 1/2 of the sliced mozzarella. Repeat this process until everything is arranged in layers.
Step 14: Top everything with parchment paper and cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 15: Place inside the oven and bake for 1 hour.
Step 16: Remove the cover and bake for 30 minutes more.
Step 17: Remove from the oven and let it sit at room temperature to cool for about 15 minutes.
Step 18: Serve and enjoy!
