Classic Homemade Cheesy Meat Lasagna (The Ultimate American Comfort Food)

Nothing beats the comfort of a bubbly, golden-brown pan of traditional meat lasagna straight from the oven. With layers of rich, slow-simmered bolognese meat sauce, velvety herb-seasoned ricotta, tender pasta sheets, and an irresistible blanket of melted mozzarella, this crowd-pleasing dinner is pure Italian-American comfort food at its finest.

• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins
• Resting Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour 25 mins
• Servings: 8 to 10 hearty slices
• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Category: Dinner / Main Dish

Ingredients

The Hearty Bolognese Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (or a 50/50 mix of ground beef and Italian sausage)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 28 oz (800g) crushed canned tomatoes or marinara sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

The Creamy Ricotta Filling:

• 15 oz (425g) whole-milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten (binds the cheese layer so it doesn’t run)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

The Layers & Cheesy Topping:

• 12 to 15 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or par-boiled)
• 4 cups (16 oz) shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Simmer the Meat Sauce

1. In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the diced onions and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until translucent.
2. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and brown thoroughly. Drain off any excess grease.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat, cover loosely, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to develop the savory flavors.

Step 2: Mix the Ricotta Filling

In a medium bowl, combine the whole-milk ricotta, beaten egg, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy; set aside.

Step 3: Layer the Lasagna

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a standard 9×13-inch baking dish, spread about 1 cup of meat sauce across the bottom to keep the noodles from sticking.
3. Arrange a single layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce (3 to 4 noodles side-by-side).
4. Spread one-third of the seasoned ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, ladle a generous scoop of meat sauce on top, and scatter a handful of shredded mozzarella.
5. Repeat the process for 3 full layers.
6. Top with the final layer of pasta sheets, remaining meat sauce, and a heavy coating of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan over the entire surface.

Step 4: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

1. Spray a sheet of aluminum foil lightly with cooking spray (to prevent the cheese from sticking) and tent it loosely over the baking dish.
2. Bake for 25 minutes covered.
3. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes until the edges are bubbling and the cheese turns into a spotted golden-brown crust.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

1. Pull the lasagna out of the oven and let it rest on the counter for 15 minutes. Resting is essential so the layers settle and slice neatly without collapsing.
2. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Slice into squares with a sharp spatula and serve warm alongside a crisp green salad and garlic bread!