Try this easy homemade Italian lasagna recipe to curb your appetite. This beloved Italian classic combines layers of rich meat sauce, cheese, and noodles into a comforting, flavorful casserole. While assembling it requires some effort, the end result is always worth it. Lasagna is the ideal dish to serve at family gatherings and special occasions, guaranteed to please a crowd.
This Italian lasagna recipe features a hearty tomato sauce packed with either ground beef or sausage, along with onions, garlic, and traditional Italian herbs. The layers of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese create a decadently creamy and satisfying dish. Baked until golden and bubbly, it fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. One taste and you’ll feel like you’re dining in a cozy Italian trattoria, thanks to the authentic flavors of this homemade lasagna. For you vegans and vegetarians, you may want to consider our vegetarian lasagna recipe if you don’t eat meat.
Italian lasagna recipe Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Italian lasagna recipe Instructions:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef/sausage, onion and garlic over medium heat until browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Layer 1/3 of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Top with 1/3 of the noodles in a single layer. Spread 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then top with 1/3 of the mozzarella.
- Repeat the layers ending with the remaining meat sauce and mozzarella on top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 25 minutes more until hot and bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Total Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes – 1 hour 30 minutes
Nutritional breakdown for one serving (1/8th) of this Italian lasagna recipe:
- Calories: 570
- Total Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sodium: 1040mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 38g
- Dietary Fiber: 4g
- Total Sugars: 8g
- Protein: 34g
- Vitamin D: 15% DV
- Calcium: 50% DV
- Iron: 20% DV
- Potassium: 10% DV
This nutritional information is an estimate based on the ingredients listed. A few notes:
- It is high in calories, fat, and sodium from the ground meat, full-fat cheeses, and cured meats like sausage.
- It provides a good amount of protein from the meat, cheeses, and a bit from the noodles.
- There are 4g fiber from the tomatoes and noodles, but overall it is low in fiber.
- It contains 50% of the daily calcium needs thanks to the ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses.
Adjustments could be made to reduce these by using leaner meats, low-fat cheeses, etc. But overall, it supplies protein, calcium, and other nutrients in a hearty, comforting dish.
Conclusion:
While making lasagna requires time and effort, the end result is a cheesy, saucy pasta dish that is truly worth it. This homemade lasagna recipe is bursting with flavor and is sure to become a family favorite. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal for feeding a crowd or for storing in the freezer for quick and easy future dinners. Serve it fresh out of the oven with a side of crisp salad and garlic bread for an unforgettable Italian meal. Mastering this classic lasagna recipe will give you a go-to dish for special occasions or whenever you crave comforting, delicious food. A similar lasagna though not as delicious and flavorful can be found here, where you’ll get a video breakdown on how to complete it.