Description
This Easy Meat Lasagna is a classic Italian-American comfort dish featuring layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and melted mozzarella. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines ground beef, aromatic herbs, and a blend of cheeses baked to bubbly golden perfection. Ideal for any occasion, this recipe is straightforward and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Lasagna Layers
- 9 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Meat Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the beef is browned and onions are softened, about 7 to 8 minutes. Add minced garlic, marinara sauce, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors, then remove from heat.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the large egg and mix thoroughly. Set aside.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer three uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese and a generous amount of meat sauce. Repeat this layering process two more times, finishing with a top layer of meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the lasagna to cook through and flavors to meld.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- You can use oven-ready noodles to save time and skip the boiling step.
- Substitute ground beef with Italian sausage or ground turkey for a different flavor profile.
- This lasagna can be assembled ahead of time and frozen prior to baking for meal prep convenience.
