Description
This Best Cheesy Lasagna is a family-friendly dinner that combines rich layers of savory ground beef tomato sauce with creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan cheeses, all baked to golden perfection. Utilizing no-boil noodles and classic Italian seasoning, this hearty lasagna is a comforting meal everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound Ground beef (lean)
- 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 28 ounces Crushed tomatoes (high-quality canned)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
Cheese Mixture:
- 15 ounces Ricotta cheese
- 1 large Egg
- 1/4 cup Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (divided)
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
Assembly:
- 9 sheets Lasagna noodles (no-boil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Make the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, fresh parsley, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until creamy and well blended.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Noodles: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush each no-boil lasagna noodle with olive oil to prevent sticking during assembly.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Lay down a layer of noodles, then spread some of the cheese mixture, followed by a layer of meat sauce, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with mozzarella and remaining Parmesan on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- Using no-boil noodles shortens prep time and helps absorb sauce flavor more thoroughly.
- Lean ground beef keeps the dish rich but prevents greasiness.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking improves slicing and texture.
- Feel free to add extra vegetables like spinach or mushrooms in the layers for added nutrition.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: lasagna, cheesy lasagna, family dinner, Italian recipe, baked pasta, ricotta, mozzarella, ground beef, no-boil noodles
