Classic Beef Lasagna

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🍝 Classic Beef Lasagna

A Comforting, Layered Italian-American Classic

Few dishes embody comfort and family mealtime like a warm, bubbling beef lasagna. With layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, this classic recipe brings the flavors of Italy right to your kitchen. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or holiday gatherings, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that pairs beautifully with garlic bread and a fresh salad.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Layers of rich, flavorful meat sauce and creamy cheese

  • Baked to golden, bubbly perfection

  • Easy to prepare ahead of time

  • Freezes well for later meals

  • Customizable with your favorite vegetables or cheeses

🛒 Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 1 small onion, diced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce

  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

For the Cheese Mixture:

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese

  • 1 large egg

  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning

For Assembly:

  • 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions

  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

  • Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)

🔥 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

  2. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain excess fat.

  3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  4. Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

  5. Simmer over low heat for 10–15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

  1. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and dried parsley or Italian seasoning.

  2. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

  2. Cook noodles according to package instructions until al dente.

  3. Drain and lay flat on a lightly oiled baking sheet to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

  2. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.

  3. Place a layer of noodles on top of the sauce.

  4. Spread one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.

  5. Spoon one-third of the meat sauce over the ricotta layer.

  6. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.

  7. Repeat layers two more times: noodles → ricotta → meat sauce → mozzarella.

  8. Finish with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese.

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