This comforting Italian classic features tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and bubbling cheese, ideal for any occasion.
# Components:
→ Pasta & Cheese
01 - 12 sheets lasagna noodles, uncooked
02 - 15 oz ricotta cheese
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Meat Sauce
06 - 1 lb ground beef, lean recommended
07 - 1 lb Italian sausage, sweet or spicy, casing removed
08 - 4 cups marinara sauce, homemade or store-bought
09 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
12 - 1 teaspoon salt
13 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
03 - Add ground beef and Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned, 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat.
04 - Stir in marinara sauce, salt, pepper, and chopped basil. Simmer for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
05 - Combine ricotta cheese and egg in a mixing bowl. Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.
06 - Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
07 - Arrange 4 sheets of uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping to cover the surface.
08 - Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with one-third of the mozzarella, then add more meat sauce.
09 - Repeat layering: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, another third of mozzarella, and meat sauce.
10 - Finish with the last layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
11 - Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
12 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
13 - Let lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing to allow layers to set.
