Homemade Beef Lasagna

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes to develop flavors.
4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
5. In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and egg until smooth.
6. To assemble, spread a layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles on top, then spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
7. Repeat with another layer of meat sauce, 3 noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, and 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Top with the final 3 noodles and remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Let cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh basil, slice, and serve.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 8
• Difficulty: Medium

Variations & Substitutions

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
• Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the ricotta layer for extra vegetables.
• Use gluten-free lasagna noodles if desired.
• Replace mozzarella with a blend of provolone and fontina for a richer flavor.

Serving Suggestions