Easy Lasagna Recipe

Easy Lasagna Recipe

from thecozycook.com
Main Course
85 min
487 kcal / serving

This Lasagna Recipe is easy to make with a creamy ricotta cheese mixture, savory meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese. BONUS: it's make-ahead and freezer-friendly!

Ingredients

  • 15 oz.ricotta cheese (2 cups)
  • 1 largeegg
  • 2 cupsmozzarella cheese
  • ¾ cupparmesan cheese (freshly grated)
  • 2 teaspoonsitalian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoonsalt
  • ¼ tsppepper
  • 1 tablespoonolive oil
  • 1yellow onion (finely diced)
  • ¾ lb.ground beef
  • ¾ lb.ground italian sausage
  • 3 clovesgarlic (minced)
  • ½ cupchicken broth
  • 40 oz.marinara sauce (see notes)
  • 1 tablespoontomato paste
  • 1 teaspoonhot sauce
  • 1 teaspoonworcestershire sauce
  • 12lasagna noodles (plus extra in case of breakage)
  • 2 ½ cupsmozzarella cheese

Directions

Prep work

  1. 1

    Combine the cheese filling ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. Measure out remaining ingredients.

Make the meat sauce

  1. 1

    Heat olive oil over medium heat and add the diced onions. Let them soften for 10 minutes. (This allows them to release a little sugar which is a nice offset to the acidity of the tomatoes.)

  2. 2

    Add the ground beef and sausage and increase heat to medium-high. Use a spatula to break up the meat so that it’s very fine and crumbled. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until cooked through. Add garlic during the last minute. Drain excess grease.

  3. 3

    Add the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the pot. Add the marinara sauce, tomato paste, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover partially and let the sauce simmer gently while you boil the pasta noodles.

Preheat oven and cook the lasagna noodles

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375°.

  2. 2

    Begin boiling a large pot of salted pasta water for the lasagna noodles. Once a rapid boil is reached, cook the noodles to al dente according to package instructions. (Set a timer to ensure you don’t overcook them.) Gently stir with a wooden spoon throughout cooking to prevent the noodles from sticking. Drain and rinse with cold water until noodles are completely cool.

  3. 3

    Lay the cooled noodles flat on wax or parchment paper while you begin assembling the lasagna.

Assemble

  1. 1

    Spread 1 heaping cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Next, add 4 lasagna noodles, overlapping them if needed.

  2. 2

    Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by about 1 ½ cups of meat sauce.

  3. 3

    Top with 4 more lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture, 1 ½ cups meat sauce.

  4. 4

    Finish with 4 more lasagna noodles, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and the rest of the meat sauce.

  5. 5

    Top with 2 ½ cups of Mozzarella cheese.

  6. 6

    Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray and place it spray-side-down on top of the baking dish to prevent the cheese from sticking to it.

Bake

  1. 1

    Bake for 35 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 10 more minutes.

  2. 2

    Remove and garnish with fresh parsley. Let it sit for 15 minutes prior to serving to allow the layers to set. Serve with garlic bread with cheese.