The Best Easy Lasagna Recipe You’ll Ever Need

Crafting an incredible lasagna doesn’t require culinary magic or complicated techniques.

Layers of rich flavors stack perfectly between delicate pasta sheets.

Cheese melts into golden landscapes that whisper comfort and warmth.

Home kitchens become delightful theaters of deliciousness when this classic dish emerges.

Savory ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Hearty meals like these connect people through shared moments of joy.

You’ll fall in love with how simple yet spectacular this recipe becomes.

Let’s uncover the secret to making an unforgettable lasagna that everyone will crave.

Why This Lasagna Is a Crowd-Pleaser

• Conquer Family Dinner: This lasagna offers something special for everyone.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Minimal prep steps and straightforward ingredients make this recipe beginner-friendly, allowing even novice cooks to create a delicious meal with confidence.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, add extra vegetables, or adjust seasonings to match your family's taste preferences without compromising the dish's core structure.
• Meal Prep Champion: This lasagna freezes beautifully and reheats perfectly, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy families or anyone wanting delicious leftovers throughout the week.

Lasagna Pantry List

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein foundation for the lasagna's rich flavor.
• Italian Sausage: Adds depth and spicy complexity to the meat sauce.

• Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base for the cheese layer with smooth texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Classic melting cheese that creates golden, stretchy top.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds sharp, salty note to enhance overall taste.
• Cream: Helps create a silky and rich cheese mixture.

• Onion: Provides aromatic base for meat sauce with sweet undertones.
• Garlic: Adds robust, pungent flavor to the dish.
• Spinach: Introduces nutritious green element to cheese mixture.
• Egg: Helps bind the cheese mixture together.

• Tomato Pasta Sauce: Core flavor component for meat sauce.
• Water: Helps adjust sauce consistency and prevent burning.
• Salt: Enhances overall seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides classic herbal Mediterranean flavor profile.

Easy Lasagna Classic Prep Guide

Step 1: Sizzle Ground Protein

• Ground beef
• Italian sausage
• Onion
• Garlic

Cook over medium heat until the meat transforms into a delicious golden brown.

Drain away any extra fat to keep your dish light and delectable.

Step 2: Develop Rich Sauce Base

• Salt
• Italian seasoning
• Tomato pasta sauce
• Water

Let this incredible sauce simmer and develop deep flavors for about 10 minutes, allowing the ingredients to dance and mingle.

Step 3: Create Creamy Cheese Blend

• Ricotta cheese
• Spinach
• Cream
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese

Blend until smooth and well combined, creating a luscious filling that will make your lasagna irresistible.

Step 4: Prepare Oven

Warm up your oven to a toasty 375 Fahrenheit (190 Celsius).

Step 5: Assemble Delicious Layers

• Meat sauce
• Noodles
• Ricotta mixture
• Mozzarella cheese

Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous sprinkle of Mozzarella on top.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 25 minutes until the top becomes beautifully golden and bubbly.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow your lasagna to rest for 10 minutes, letting the flavors settle and the layers set.

Slice, serve, and enjoy your culinary creation!

Easy Lasagna Assembly Notes

• Remove excess grease completely to prevent a greasy, heavy lasagna and ensure a lighter, more appetizing texture.
• Add a splash of red wine to the meat sauce for an extra layer of rich, complex taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Squeeze out excess moisture from spinach to prevent watery layers and maintain the lasagna's perfect structural integrity.
• Start and end with sauce layers to create a moist, well-integrated lasagna that holds together beautifully when served.
• Experiment with different cheese combinations like adding provolone or switching some mozzarella for a unique, personalized flavor profile.

Lasagna That’s Perfect to Reheat Next Day

• Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual portions or entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Frozen lasagna maintains quality for up to 3 months.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover lasagna with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Cut desired portion and place on microwave-safe plate. Heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between cycles, until thoroughly warm and steaming.

What to Eat With Easy Lasagna

• Pair with Rich Red Wine: Choose a bold, full-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the hearty meat and tomato sauce, cutting through the lasagna's richness with its robust tannins.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the lasagna's heavy texture, adding a crisp, tangy contrast that refreshes the palate between bites.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare warm, buttery garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide a crunchy texture that enhances the overall dining experience, adding another layer of garlicky goodness.
• Complement with Crisp Italian Pinot Grigio: For those preferring white wine, select a chilled Pinot Grigio with subtle acidity that cleanses the mouth and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the lasagna's rich flavors.

Lasagna Variations For Any Night

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace ground beef and sausage with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms for a meat-free version packed with protein and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure tomato sauce is certified gluten-free to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap traditional pasta layers with thinly sliced zucchini or eggplant to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the classic lasagna structure.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute ricotta with tofu or cashew cheese, use dairy-free mozzarella, and replace cream with unsweetened almond milk for those with dairy restrictions.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. Just ensure the meat is fully cooked and seasoned well.

• Is fresh spinach better than frozen?

Fresh spinach works great, but frozen spinach is convenient and equally nutritious. If using frozen, make sure to thaw and squeeze out excess water before mixing.

• How do I prevent my lasagna from being watery?

Drain meat thoroughly, use a thick pasta sauce, and avoid adding extra liquid. Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps it set and reduces liquid.

• Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate. Just add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Easy Lasagna Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Hearty homemade lasagna delivers Italian comfort straight to dinner tables with layers of rich meat sauce and melted cheese. Perfectly seasoned noodles and savory ingredients promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage, loose packed or casings removed (5 sausages)

Cheese and Filling:

• 2 cups (450 grams) ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (100 grams)
• 1/4 cup cream
• 1 egg

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 3.5 cups jarred tomato pasta sauce (about 1.5 jars)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 12 oven ready lasagna noodles

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Instructions

1. Sauté ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat until meat browns and loses its raw appearance.
2. Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then incorporate salt, Italian seasoning, tomato pasta sauce, and water. Allow the sauce to simmer and develop flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
3. Prepare the cheese mixture by combining Ricotta cheese, chopped spinach, cream, beaten egg, and grated Parmesan cheese in a separate mixing bowl.
4. Adjust oven temperature to 375F (190C) to ensure proper preheating.
5. Create the first layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish by spreading a thin coat of meat sauce across the bottom to prevent sticking.
6. Arrange lasagna noodles to cover the sauce completely, ensuring minimal gaps between noodles.
7. Generously spread the Ricotta cheese mixture over the noodle layer, creating an even distribution.
8. Sprinkle a substantial layer of Mozzarella cheese on top of the Ricotta mixture.
9. Repeat layering process – meat sauce, noodles, Ricotta mixture, and Mozzarella cheese – until all ingredients are utilized.
10. Ensure the final layer is topped with Mozzarella cheese for a golden, melted finish.
11. Carefully cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
12. Bake covered for 25 minutes, then remove foil and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes until the top becomes golden and edges are bubbly.
13. Remove from oven and allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes, which helps set the layers and makes serving easier.

Notes

• Enhance meat flavor by using a blend of ground beef and sausage for deeper, richer taste profiles.
• Drain excess grease thoroughly to prevent a greasy, heavy lasagna and ensure a lighter texture.
• Substitute ricotta with cottage cheese for a lower-fat alternative that maintains creamy consistency.
• Prepare lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more delicious dish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 950mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 120mg