Cheesy Classic Lasagna

Directions

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
2. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat if needed.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and diced green chilis. Season with oregano, basil, cumin, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture:

4. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Set aside.

Cook the Lasagna Noodles:

5. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Assemble the Lasagna:

6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

7. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.

8. Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then top with a generous layer of meat sauce. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese.

9. Repeat the layering process (noodles → ricotta → meat sauce → cheese) until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

Bake the Lasagna:

10. Cover with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

11. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

Recipe Details

• Prep time: 30 minutes
• Cook time: 40–45 minutes
• Total time: 1 hr 10–15 min
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Tips

• Protein swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
• Vegetarian version: Use sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach instead of meat.
• Extra cheesy: Mix in a little ricotta and mozzarella into the meat sauce layers for an extra creamy texture.
• Make ahead: Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate. Bake when ready to serve.

Serving Suggestions