Oven Ready Lasagna

Oven Ready Lasagna

12 servings
The best Make Ahead Lasagna has three kinds of cheese, two different meats, one fantastic homemade sauce, and oodles of real noodles that require absolutely zero boiling.

Ingredients

  • ground beef

    see note 1

    1 lb
  • ground Italian sausage
    1 lb
  • onion)

    peeled and chopped (about 1 cup

    1 medium
  • garlic

    minced

    4 clove
  • can crushed tomatoes

    28-ounce

    1
  • can tomato sauce

    15-ounce

    1
  • can tomato paste

    6-ounce

    1
  • granulated sugar (or
    2 tbsp
  • basil
    1 ½ tsp
  • Italian seasoning

    see note 3

    1 tsp
  • fennel seeds

    see note 4

    1 tsp
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • container ricotta cheese

    15-ounce

    1
  • egg
    1
  • parsley
    2 tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • lasagna noodles)

    NOT no-boil (see note 6

    1 box
  • mozzarella cheese
    1 lb
  • Parmesan cheese
    1 c
  • minced fresh parsley

Directions

To make the meat sauce:

  1. 1

    In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef (or sausage) and onion, and cook until mostly browned, about 5 minutes. Drain if desired. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

  2. 2

    Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, Italian seasoning, and fennel seeds. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper). You should have about 2 quarts of sauce.

To make the cheese filling:

  1. 1

    Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, parsley, and salt. Chill until the sauce is finished.

To assemble and bake the lasagna:

  1. 1

    In the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish, spread 2 cups meat sauce. Arrange a single layer of uncooked noodles over the meat sauce (I sometimes do 3 full-size noodles lengthwise and then a partial noodle crosswise). Spread with a heaping 2/3 cup of the ricotta mixture. Top with about 1 1/2 cups (5 ounces) of mozzarella. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese.

  2. 2

    Spoon 2 cups meat sauce over the cheese. Make another layer of noodles, ricotta mixture (heaping 2/3 cup), mozzarella (1 1/2 cups) and Parmesan (1/3 cup). Repeat layers 1 more time, for a total of 3 layers.

  3. 3

    Spray a large piece of foil with nonstick spray and cover baking dish. Refrigerate at least 5 hours or overnight.

  4. 4

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake, covered with foil, for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an until hot and bubbly, about 25 minutes longer. Cool 5 minutes, then garnish with parsley before serving if desired.

Oven Ready Lasagna

Oven Ready Lasagna

90 min12 servings498 cal

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About this Recipe

The Ultimate Make Ahead Lasagna: Your New Family Favorite

Imagine a hearty, comforting lasagna ready to bake with minimal fuss. Our Oven Ready Lasagna is exactly that – a dream come true for busy weeknights or special gatherings. This isn't just any lasagna; it's a testament to incredible flavor and impressive convenience, designed to be prepared ahead of time so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying.

What makes this Make Ahead Lasagna truly special? It starts with a rich, homemade sauce featuring the perfect combination of ground beef and savory Italian sausage, simmered with crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and aromatic spices like dried basil, Italian seasoning, and a hint of fennel seeds that add an unexpected depth of flavor. This robust meat sauce lays the foundation for an unforgettable dish.

But the real magic for ease of preparation lies in our secret weapon: real lasagna noodles that require absolutely zero boiling. That's right, no pre-cooking those flimsy sheets! They cook perfectly right in the oven, soaking up all the delicious sauce and moisture, resulting in tender, perfectly al dente layers.

Between these perfectly cooked noodles, you'll find a generous blend of three cheeses: creamy ricotta mixed with egg and fresh parsley, plenty of gooey shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of sharp Parmesan cheese. Each bite offers a harmonious balance of savory meat, tangy tomato, and rich, melted cheese.

Tips for Success & Variations

  • Customize Your Meat: Feel free to adjust the ratio of ground beef to Italian sausage, or use all of one for a different flavor profile. For a lighter touch, ground turkey could be an option.
  • Add Veggies: Boost the nutritional value by sautéing finely chopped mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini with the onion and garlic for the sauce.
  • Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce will add a lovely kick if you enjoy a bit of heat.

Serving this Oven Ready Lasagna is simple. Pair it with a fresh green salad and some crusty garlic bread for a complete, satisfying meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. It's the ultimate comfort food, made incredibly easy!

Frequently Asked Questions