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Homemade Lasagna Recipe Easy Step-by-Step for Perfect Golden Layers

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This easy homemade lasagna recipe features rich layers of meaty sauce, creamy ricotta, and golden, bubbly cheese. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing classic streamlined for busy weeknights or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred, or ground turkey)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 24 ounces jarred marinara sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk preferred)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and black pepper (a pinch or two, to taste)
  • 9–12 lasagna noodles (regular, oven-ready, or gluten-free)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (part-skim preferred)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • Optional: 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or oregano
  • Optional: Sliced mushrooms, sautéed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Chop onion and garlic. Grate mozzarella if using a block.
  2. If using traditional noodles, boil in salted water for 6-7 minutes until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a towel. Oven-ready noodles can be used as-is.
  3. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add onion and cook 2-3 minutes until soft. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Add marinara sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer 8-10 minutes until thickened. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, nutmeg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Stir in spinach or herbs if using.
  7. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  8. Layer 3-4 noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of ricotta mixture, 1/3 of remaining sauce, and 1/3 of mozzarella.
  9. Repeat layers two more times: noodles, ricotta, sauce, mozzarella.
  10. Finish with a final layer of noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella, and extra Parmesan.
  11. Cover tightly with foil (spray underside with oil). Bake 25 minutes covered. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  12. Optional: Broil for 1-2 minutes for extra crisp top.
  13. Let lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.

Notes

For best results, let lasagna rest before slicing to set the layers. Use oven-ready noodles for convenience, or parboil traditional noodles until just flexible. Freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan melt and brown better. Add spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies. Lasagna can be assembled ahead and baked later; leftovers freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: lasagna, homemade lasagna, easy lasagna, Italian casserole, comfort food, family dinner, pasta bake, cheesy lasagna, weeknight dinner, classic lasagna

Find it online: https://prismtaste.com/homemade-lasagna-recipe-easy-step-by-step-for-perfect-golden-layers/