Description
This hearty oven baked lasagna is stacked with tender noodles, robust meat sauce, herbed ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, baked until golden and bubbling – perfect for sharing with family and friends!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ onion, diced
- 12 oz (2 small cans) tomato paste
- 30 oz (2 cans) tomato sauce
- Olive oil (for tossing noodles and cooking)
- 4 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 6 oz Parmesan cheese (about 1½ cups)
- 16 oz mozzarella cheese (about 4 cups)
- 16 oz ricotta cheese (about 2 cups)
- 1 egg
- 1 package Lasagna noodles, cooked
Instructions
- Salt a large pot of water and bring to a boil.
- Add lasagna noodles and cook for 8 minutes or according to package directions.
- Drain the noodles and toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef.
- Once browned, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3–5 minutes until softened.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, black pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the sugar.
- Whisk well to fully incorporate the seasonings before adding the tomato paste and tomato sauce.
- Add the paste and sauce, stir to combine, and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Once everything is fully incorporated, turn off the heat and set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Stir until smooth and combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna: In a baking dish, layer the meat sauce, lasagna noodles, ricotta mixture, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses.
- Add the final layer: noodles, a thinner layer of meat sauce, and remaining cheeses (the thinner sauce layer helps keep the noodles from drying out).
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- You have to mix the ricotta and egg together because if you don’t, it won’t set/combine, and it will get runny.
- Use a whisk to stir the ingredients for better incorporation.
- Make sure to use enough salt so that you can taste all of the flavors in the sauce.
- If you want the lasagna extra cheesy, lift the foil after baking 30 minutes and add another layer of mozzarella and parm. Bake the remaining time. For bubbly cheese, broil on high for 3-5 minutes, checking often (it will burn!).
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American