Classic Beef Lasagna Recipe

About

A hearty, comforting lasagna layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella. Budget-friendly and straightforward to make.

1. 1

   Preheat Oven

   preheat 15 min

   Preheat your oven to 375°F. This will take about 10–15 minutes, so get this going first while you prep everything else.

2. 2

   Boil the Noodles

   cook 12 min

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package directions, usually 8–10 minutes, until just al dente. Drain and lay them flat on a lightly oiled surface so they don't stick. While the noodles cook, start step 3.

3. 3

   Brown the Beef

   cook 7 min

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, for about 5–7 minutes until fully browned with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat from the pan.

4. 4

   Make the Meat Sauce

   cook 6 min

   Add the minced garlic to the browned beef and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce and stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.

5. 5

   Mix the Ricotta Layer

   prep 3 min

   In a bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, beaten egg, a pinch of salt, and half of the shredded mozzarella (about 1 cup). Mix until well combined. This mixture will be your creamy middle layer.

6. 6

   Assemble the Lasagna

   prep 5 min

   Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of your 9x13 baking dish. Add a layer of noodles, then half the ricotta mixture, then a layer of meat sauce. Repeat with another layer of noodles, the remaining ricotta, and more meat sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce on top.

7. 7

   Top with Mozzarella and Bake Covered

   cook 30 min

   Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella evenly over the top of the lasagna. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

8. 8

   Bake Uncovered

   cook 15 min

   Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach at least 165°F. The edges may start to crisp slightly — that's a good sign!

9. 9

   Rest the Lasagna

   rest 10 min

   Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest uncovered for 10 minutes before cutting. This is important — it lets the layers firm up so your slices hold together instead of falling apart.

10. 10

    Serve

    serve

    Cut into 6 generous portions and serve warm. Pairs great with garlic bread and a simple green salad.