Ingredients
– 12 lasagna noodles
– 1 pound ground beef or sausage
– 1 onion, diced
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
– 15 ounces ricotta cheese
– 1 egg
– 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Optional: 1 zucchini, sliced or shredded for added nutrition
Instructions
Creating The Best Homemade Lasagna is a straightforward process when you break it down into these easy steps:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic. Sauté until fragrant and the onion becomes translucent.
4. Brown the Meat: Add the ground beef or sausage to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
5. Add Tomatoes: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and season with salt, pepper, and basil. Let simmer for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Mix the Cheese: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
7. Assemble the Lasagna: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce at the bottom. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top. Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese.
8. Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process: meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella cheese until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
9. Cover with Foil: Cover the dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese.
10. Bake: Place the covered lasagna in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
11. Uncover & Brown: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
12. Rest Before Serving: Allow the lasagna to rest for about 30 minutes to help it set for easier slicing.
These instructions will guide you in creating this incredible lasagna flawlessly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Fat: 20g
- Protein: 25g