The Best Lasagna
Creamy, hearty lasagna layered with rich meat sauce, ricotta, and mozzarella cheese, perfect for family dinners and special occasions requiring comforting Italian flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef ⓘ
- 1 small onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 (28 oz) can tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 (12 oz) can tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp oregano leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp thyme leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp garlic salt ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- 2/3 (16 oz) pkg lasagna noodles ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz) container Ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 1 (16 oz) pkg Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook ground beef and diced onion until beef is well browned, stirring frequently.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, oregano, thyme, crushed red pepper, garlic salt, and bay leaf to the beef mixture.
- Heat to boiling, stirring to break up tomatoes.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Discard bay leaf and spoon off any excess fat.
- Prepare lasagna noodles as directed on the package.
- Arrange a layer of cooked noodles in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
- Combine eggs and Ricotta cheese in a bowl.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Top with half of the meat sauce.
- Repeat layers with remaining noodles, ricotta mixture, and sauce.
- Bake in a 375°F oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding Italian sausage along with the ground beef or substituting with ground turkey for a leaner option. Fresh herbs like basil can enhance the sauce significantly. If you're short on time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles instead, which eliminate the need for pre-cooking. Always taste and adjust seasonings before layering.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the lasagna with a simple side salad dressed with vinaigrette for a light contrast. Garlic bread or a classic Caesar salad pairs beautifully with this dish. For an Italian touch, consider serving alongside Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup for a comforting meal. A glass of red wine can also elevate the dining experience.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, let the lasagna cool completely, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until heated through or microwave individual servings until warm.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of The Best Lasagna contains roughly 489 calories, with 18g protein, 101g carbohydrates, and 14g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (153% of the Daily Value), and calcium (116% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1036mg per serving (45% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To prevent lasagna noodles from sticking, make sure to stir them occasionally while boiling. After cooking, drain and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process, which also helps reduce stickiness.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).