Best Recipe for Lasagna

Best Recipe for Lasagna

from laurenslatest.com
220 min
15 servings

This is hands down the Best Lasagna Recipe ever! Easy, cheesy, meaty and so so delicious! Layer up the hearty meat sauce, different cheeses and lasagna pasta and then bake until hot and bubbly.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 pound ground beef (93/7)
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese (grated)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • salt & pepper (to taste)
  • 1 pound lasagna noodles
  • 1/4 pound mozzarella cheese (grated, for topping)

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 375° F.

  2. 2

    In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in onion and saute 2-3 minutes. Add in garlic and ground beef. Break meat apart as it browns. Once meat has browned completely, pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian Seasoning and salt. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook sauce 1-2 hours or until very thick. You may have to add a little extra water as it reduces down to prevent scorching. This is normal.

  3. 3

    While meat sauce cooks, make the cheese layer: stir cheeses together in a bowl with basil, parsley and salt & pepper. Set aside.

  4. 4

    Spread 1/2 cup prepared sauce in the bottom of a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Layer in 5-6 noodles across the bottom to completely cover. Spread half of the cheese mixture overtop of the noodles and then one third of the sauce. Top with another layer of noodles, the second half of the cheese mixture and another third of the sauce. Final layer is the last of the noodles and the last of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 lb. grated mozzarella cheese. So real quick, here is the order of the layers:Meat Sauce (just a little so the noodles don't stick to the bottom)NoodlesCheese FillingMeat SauceNoodlesCheese FillingMeat SauceNoodlesMeat SauceMozzarella Cheese