Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that layers wide, flat pasta sheets with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese, creating a hearty and indulgent meal. The meat sauce, made with ground beef and pork, is simmered with the sauce for a deep, savory flavor. The layers of pasta and sauce are interspersed with creamy ricotta and topped with Parmesan cheese, then baked until golden and bubbly. The result is a comforting and flavorful dish with a satisfying mix of textures, from the tender pasta to the gooey cheese and robust sauce. Lasagna is a beloved favorite for family dinners and gatherings, offering a taste of Italy’s culinary warmth and tradition.
Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound pork sausage or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 24 ounces pasta sauce
- 1 cup water
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Soak the lasagna noodles (see note).
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef, sausage, onion, and garlic until no longer pink. Drain fat.
- Stir in the pasta sauce and water. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, make the cheese mixture. Mix and combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella, ½ cup parmesan cheese.
- Layer: First layer- Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the prepared casserole dish. Top it with 4 lasagna noodles, breaking to fit if needed—layer with ⅓ of the ricotta cheese mixture, spreading to cover noodles. Repeat layers twice more- meat, noodles, cheese. Finish with remaining sauce.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving.