Amazing Lasagna: Perfect Comfort Food For 10

Oh, lasagna! Just saying the word makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. You know, for me, the best kind of cooking is the kind that brings people together, and there’s nothing quite like a bubbling, cheesy lasagna fresh out of the oven to do just that. It reminds me so much of my grandma’s kitchen, where smells of simmering sauce meant a big family meal was on the way. She had this way of making everything feel special, and her lasagna was always the star! This recipe is my go-to for those nights when I need something hearty and totally foolproof. It’s a classic beef lasagna that’s just perfect for feeding a crowd, and trust me, it disappears fast!

Why You’ll Love This Classic Lasagna Recipe

This isn’t just any lasagna; it’s the kind of dish that makes everyone happy. Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:

• Super Easy Assembly: Seriously, layering this lasagna is a breeze!
• Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: It’s a go-to for family dinners and potlucks.
• Seriously Flavorful: That rich meat sauce and creamy cheese combo? Perfection!
• Comfort Food at its Finest: It’s the ultimate hug in a dish.

Ingredients for the Perfect Lasagna

Alright, let’s talk about what makes this lasagna sing! It’s all about quality ingredients, and thankfully, most of these are probably already in your pantry or easy to grab from the store. Here’s exactly what you’ll need to get this deliciousness going:

For the Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese

Crafting Your Lasagna: Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get our hands dirty and build this amazing lasagna! It’s seriously straightforward, and before you know it, you’ll have a masterpiece ready for the oven. Trust me, the smell alone is worth it! If lasagna is your jam, you might also love my lasagna soup for a quick weeknight fix!

Preparing the Rich Meat Sauce for Your Lasagna

First things first, we gotta get that sauce going. In a big skillet, toss in your ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook it all up until that beef is nicely browned and the onion is tender. Drain off any extra grease – nobody likes a greasy lasagna, right? Now, stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and that splash of water. Toss in your fresh parsley, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir, bring it to a gentle simmer, then turn the heat down low. Let it bubble away for about 15 minutes, stirring now and then. This is where all that amazing flavor develops for your delicious lasagna!

Assembling the Layers of Your Lasagna

Now for the fun part – building those gorgeous layers! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab your 9×13 inch baking dish. Spread a thin layer of that yummy meat sauce on the bottom. This helps keep the noodles from sticking! Next, lay down three lasagna noodles. Then, dollop and gently spread about half of your ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle a third of your mozzarella cheese on top. Now, just repeat: three more noodles, more meat sauce, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and another third of the mozzarella. Finally, top it all off with your last three noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and all the rest of that glorious mozzarella cheese. It’s like a cheesy, saucy puzzle!

SAVE IT

Baking and Resting Your Lasagna to Perfection

Time to bake this beauty! Cover your lasagna dish snugly with foil. Pop it into that preheated oven for 25 minutes. This helps everything heat through evenly. After 25 minutes, carefully take off the foil. You want that cheese to get all melty and golden brown, so bake it uncovered for another 20 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and looks absolutely divine. The hardest part? Letting it rest for 10 minutes before you slice into it. I know, I know, it’s torture, but it lets the layers set so you get nice, clean slices instead of a cheesy mess. Seriously though, this little rest makes all the difference to your final lasagna!

SAVE IT

Tips for the Best Lasagna

Making a truly fantastic lasagna doesn’t have to be complicated. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make all the difference, inspired by my grandma’s wisdom and my need for *real* food on busy weeknights. These little tips will help make sure your homemade lasagna is a total showstopper, just like my spaghetti squash lasagna boats!

When it comes to those noodles, don’t skip the package directions! Make sure they’re cooked just right – al dente is perfect. And for the sauce, if it seems a little too thick, just add a tiny bit more water or even a spoonful of the noodle-cooking water. A good, thick sauce is key for a great lasagna. And for that ooey-gooey cheese melt? Make sure your final mozzarella layer is spread nicely to cover the top completely – it creates this beautiful, golden crust!

SAVE IT

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Lasagna

Sometimes you need to switch things up in the kitchen, and that’s totally okay! For this classic lasagna, feel free to get a little creative. If you’re not a huge fan of ricotta, cottage cheese works wonderfully as a creamy substitute – it blends up almost the same way. And if ground beef isn’t your thing or you’re looking to make this dish vegetarian-friendly, chopped mushrooms or plant-based grounds are fantastic additions to the sauce. You can also mix your beloved zucchini lasagna with this beef sauce for a lighter twist!

Frequently Asked Questions About Lasagna

Got questions about whipping up this classic lasagna? I totally get it! Homemade lasagna relies on a few little secrets, and I’m happy to spill them. If you’re looking for easy weeknight dinners that feel special, this is definitely one to try.

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?

Oh, absolutely! This lasagna is actually *better* made a day ahead. Assemble the whole thing, cover it tightly with plastic wrap, and then foil. Pop it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just let it sit out for about 20-30 minutes to take the chill off, then bake as usual, maybe adding a few extra minutes to the covered baking time.

How do I prevent my lasagna from being watery?

A watery lasagna can happen if your sauce is too thin or if you don’t drain your ricotta well. Make sure your meat sauce has simmered long enough to thicken up nicely. If you’re using cottage cheese instead of ricotta, give it a good drain too. Also, letting the assembled lasagna rest before baking and then again after baking is super important!

What’s the best way to reheat lasagna?

My favorite way to reheat leftover lasagna is in a medium oven (around 350°F or 175°C). Cover it with foil to keep it from drying out, and just warm it through until it’s bubbly again. You can pop a slice in the microwave too, but the oven gives you that lovely melty cheese top back!

SAVE IT

Nutritional Information for This Lasagna

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates and can change depending on the exact ingredients you use. But based on our classic beef lasagna recipe, here’s a general idea of what you’re looking at per slice:

Serving Size: 1 slice

• Calories: 550
• Fat: 30g (Saturated Fat: 15g, Unsaturated Fat: 15g, Trans Fat: 1g)
• Cholesterol: 90mg
• Sodium: 900mg
• Carbohydrates: 40g (Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 10g)
• Protein: 30g

Share Your Lasagna Creations!

I just LOVE seeing your kitchen adventures! If you make this classic beef lasagna, please, please, PLEASE leave a comment below. Let me know how it turned out, if you added any special twists, or just how much your family devoured it! You can also rate it right there. For any direct questions or to share a photo, feel free to reach out through my contact page. Can’t wait to hear all about it!

Classic Beef Lasagna

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A hearty, oven-baked lasagna with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese, perfect for family gatherings.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 45 min
• Total Time: 75 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is browned and onion is tender. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
5. In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
6. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
8. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
9. Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella cheese.
10. Repeat layers: noodles, meat sauce, ricotta mixture, mozzarella.
11. Top with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
12. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
13. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
14. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• For a smoother sauce, you can blend the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste before adding them to the skillet.
• If you prefer a richer sauce, you can add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce while it simmers.
• To prevent noodles from sticking, ensure they are fully submerged in water while cooking.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 900mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg