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Delicious homemade lasagna with ricotta cheese fresh from the oven

Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese

This comforting homemade lasagna with rich ricotta cheese is perfect for gathering family and friends, allowing you to control the ingredients for ultimate freshness.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce Ingredients
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste
Lasagna Layers Ingredients
  • 12 oz lasagna noodles cooked al dente
  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded

Method
 

Prepare the Perfect Meat Sauce
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking the meat into small pieces.
  2. Once browned, add diced onions and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, and oregano, mixing everything together. Reduce heat and let it simmer gently for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles
  1. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the lasagna noodles.
  2. Cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes).
  3. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel to avoid sticking.
Create the Creamy Ricotta Mixture
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and nutmeg.
  2. Mix until smooth and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt if necessary.
Assemble Your Masterpiece
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.
  3. Layer 4 noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
  4. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add one-third of the meat sauce and one-third of the mozzarella cheese.
  5. Repeat the layers, finishing with the final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and topped with the rest of the mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese.
Bake to Golden Perfection
  1. Cover the lasagna tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with a golden brown top.
How to Serve
  1. Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before serving.
  2. Cut into squares and serve with a salad or garlic bread. A sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a nice touch.

Notes

Make the meat sauce the day before to deepen the flavors. Use fresh mozzarella for best texture and flavor. Let the baked lasagna sit for at least 10 minutes before cutting to help it hold its shape better.