Quick & Cozy Classic Lasagna Recipe for Family Dinners

Lasagna brings families together around a table bursting with comforting layers of flavor and tradition.

This iconic Italian dish represents more than just a meal—it’s a culinary experience that speaks to warmth and connection.

Generations have perfected the art of crafting these delectable pasta stacks with meticulous care and passion.

Rich, hearty ingredients craft simple components into a symphony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Tender pasta sheets nestle between robust sauces, creating a harmonious blend that satisfies deep hunger and emotional cravings.

Homemade lasagna signals love, effort, and a commitment to sharing something truly special with those closest to you.

Each carefully assembled layer tells a story of culinary heritage and personal creativity.

Classic Lasagna That Feels Like Sunday Dinner

• Savor Layered Comfort: This classic lasagna delivers ultimate comfort food with perfectly balanced layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and creamy cheese that melt together in every delightful bite.
• Foolproof Family Feast: Incredibly easy to assemble with simple ingredients, this recipe welcomes home cooks of all skill levels to create a restaurant-quality meal without complicated techniques or special equipment.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Masterpiece: Requiring just over an hour from start to finish, this lasagna transforms basic ingredients into a showstopping dish that feeds a hungry group and guarantees seconds, making it perfect for family dinners and potlucks.
• Customizable Culinary Canvas: The recipe offers flexibility to swap meats, adjust cheese combinations, or add extra herbs, allowing home chefs to personalize while maintaining the classic lasagna's beloved essence.

Ingredients to Build a Truly Rich Lasagna

• Ground Beef: Lean ground beef provides rich, hearty flavor and protein for the lasagna base.
• Italian Sausage: Adds depth of flavor and extra spiciness to the meat sauce.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy filling that adds smooth texture and richness to the lasagna layers.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully, creating stretchy and gooey layers with great cheese pull.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty flavor and helps create a golden brown top.

• Lasagna Noodles: Classic pasta sheets that form the structure of the lasagna.
• Spaghetti Sauce: Provides moisture and classic Italian tomato flavor to the dish.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic enhances the overall savory taste of the meat sauce.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a light, fresh note to the cheese mixture.

• Eggs: Bind the cheese mixture and help create a stable filling.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor of the lasagna.
• Water: Helps create moisture if the sauce is thick.

Step-by-Step Instructions for a Stacked Favorite

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously coat a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

• Minced garlic
• Spaghetti sauce

Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Create the Cheese Mixture

• Ricotta cheese
• Mozzarella cheese (2 cups)
• Eggs
• Parmesan cheese
• Chopped parsley
• Salt
• Pepper

Mix thoroughly until well blended.

Step 4: Layer the First Foundation

Spread 3/4 cup of meat sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange 3 uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce.

Step 5: Build the First Layers

• One-third of the cheese mixture
• One-quarter of the remaining sauce

Step 6: Repeat Layer Process

Repeat the layering process two more times, creating multiple delicious strata.

Step 7: Add the Final Topping

• Lasagna noodles
• Remaining sauce
• Remaining mozzarella cheese
• Remaining Parmesan cheese

Tip: If sauce seems thick, add a small amount of water around the dish’s edges.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with cooking spray-coated aluminum foil (sprayed side facing down). Bake for 50 minutes.

Step 9: Final Browning

Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 10: Rest and Serve

Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes cutting easier.

Tips for Layers That Hold Their Shape

• Drain Meat Thoroughly: Remove as much fat as possible to prevent a greasy lasagna and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.
• Mix Cheese Blend Gently: Fold ingredients together softly to maintain a light, creamy texture without overworking the mixture.
• Layer Strategically: Create even layers by spreading ingredients carefully to guarantee consistent taste and texture in every bite.
• Add Moisture Carefully: Pour water around edges sparingly to prevent a watery dish while keeping noodles perfectly tender.
• Rest Before Serving: Allow lasagna to sit for exactly 10 minutes to help layers set and make cutting and serving much easier.

How to Keep Lasagna Fresh for Later Servings

• Refrigerate: Wrap lasagna tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Slice cooled lasagna into individual portions. Place in freezer-safe containers or wrap securely with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350°F covered with foil for 20-25 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.

What Complements Lasagna on the Table

• Uncork a Bold Red Wine: Pair this hearty lasagna with a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the rich meat and cheese flavors while complementing the tomato sauce's acidity.
• Freshen with a Crisp Salad: Serve a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the lasagna's heaviness and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, cheesy layers.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Add crusty garlic bread on the side to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience.
• Cool Down with Chilled White Wine: For those preferring white wine, a crisp Pinot Grigio offers a clean, bright counterpoint to the lasagna's richness and helps cleanse the palate between bites.

Flavor Swaps and Lasagna Twists You’ll Enjoy

• Veggie Lovers' Lasagna: Swap ground meats with a colorful mix of zucchini, spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers. Sauté vegetables until tender, then layer with ricotta and marinara sauce for a plant-powered version.
• Chicken and Spinach Lasagna: Replace beef and sausage with shredded rotisserie chicken and add fresh spinach leaves between layers. Use a white garlic sauce instead of traditional marinara for a creamy alternative.
• Seafood Mediterranean Lasagna: Incorporate succulent shrimp and crab meat into the recipe. Season with oregano and replace some mozzarella with crumbled feta cheese. Add sun-dried tomatoes for an extra Mediterranean touch.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Lasagna: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. Keep the classic flavor profile while making it accessible for those with dietary restrictions.

Classic Lasagna Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich Italian layers of pasta, cheese, and savory meat sauce come together in this classic lasagna. Comfort meets culinary tradition, promising a hearty meal that brings families around the table with delicious, nostalgic flavors you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meats:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 0.5 pound sweet Italian sausage

Cheeses:

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.75 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs

Additional Ingredients:

• 48 ounces spaghetti sauce
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground pepper
• 0.25 cup water (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish with a light cooking spray coating, ensuring even coverage.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly brown ground beef and sausage, carefully draining excess fat to prevent greasiness.
3. Incorporate minced garlic into the meat mixture, then gently fold in spaghetti sauce, allowing flavors to meld during a brief 5-minute simmer.
4. Create a creamy cheese blend by combining ricotta, most of the mozzarella, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing bowl, stirring until uniformly incorporated.
5. Establish a foundational layer by spreading a thin sauce base across the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
6. Carefully arrange the first layer of uncooked lasagna noodles, ensuring complete coverage of the sauce.
7. Generously distribute one-third of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a quarter of the remaining sauce, creating a rich and flavorful stratification.
8. Repeat the layering process two additional times, building complexity and depth of flavor with each successive layer.
9. Culminate the layering with a final noodle sheet, topped with remaining sauce, reserved mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
10. If the sauce appears thick, delicately add water around the dish’s edges to maintain moisture during baking.
11. Shield the lasagna with aluminum foil that has been lightly sprayed to prevent sticking, then bake for 50 minutes in a preheated oven.
12. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a golden, slightly crisp top.
13. Allow the lasagna to rest and settle for 10 minutes before serving, which helps maintain structural integrity and enhances flavor melding.

Notes

• Drain excess fat thoroughly to prevent a greasy lasagna and ensure a cleaner, lighter texture.
• Layering technique matters: start with sauce, then noodles, cheese mixture, and meat sauce for perfect structure.
• Adding water around edges helps prevent dry edges and ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
• Letting the lasagna rest for 10 minutes allows layers to set and makes cutting and serving easier.
• Cover with cooking spray-coated foil to prevent sticking and protect the cheese from burning during baking.
• Use freshly grated Parmesan for richer flavor compared to pre-packaged grated cheese.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 487
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 915 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 107 mg