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5 from 7 votes

Homemade Lasagna Recipe

This BEST Homemade Lasagna is rich and cheesy and packed with meat. Create perfect layered lasagna with these easy-to-follow steps!
Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Refrigerate2 hours
Total Time3 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 9
Author: Lil' Luna

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 1 ½ cups tomato sauce
  • ½ cup water
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup chopped basil
  • ½ tsp fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic salt divided, or to taste
  • ¼ tsp pepper
  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 16 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
  • 1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 egg
  • dash of nutmeg
  • 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • extra basil chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  • In a large pot, cook sausage, ground beef, and garlic until brown and no longer pink. Drain fat.
  • Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, brown sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 30-45 minutes.
  • While the sauce simmers, prep noodles by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes.
  • Make ricotta mixture while the sauce is simmering by combining ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, egg, nutmeg, and chopped parsley.
  • Layer lasagna as follows in a deep 9x13 baking dish:
    1. 2 cups meat sauce
    2. 3-4 noodles
    3. 2 cups meat sauce
    4. ½ ricotta mixture
    5. ½ of the shredded mozzarella
    6. 3-4 noodles
    7. 2 cups meat sauce
    8. Last half of ricotta mixture
    9. 3-4 noodles
    10. Last of meat sauce
    11. Last of the shredded mozzarella
  • Cover with foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Bake with foil on for the first 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes. Let cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.
  • Sprinkle with fresh basil if desired.

Video

Notes

Make ahead of time. Prepare the Lasagna according to the recipe, but don't bake it. Store it in the fridge or freezer for later. 
  • Refrigerator: Cover the dish with plastic and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 days. Remove the plastic before baking.
  • Freezer: Cover the dish with plastic and then again with aluminum foil. Freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Remove plastic and foil before baking. 
STORE leftover Homemade Lasagna recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1square | Calories: 652kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 1231mg | Potassium: 631mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 961IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 405mg | Iron: 3mg