Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Ricotta Cheese

Introduction

Lasagna is one of the most beloved Italian comfort foods in the world—a hearty, layered pasta dish that brings together tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. The combination of savory flavors, cheesy goodness, and baked perfection makes this dish a centerpiece for family gatherings, celebrations, or cozy weeknight dinners.

This recipe for Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Ricotta Cheese is a classic take on the dish. It’s rich, satisfying, and guaranteed to bring smiles to the table. It’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug—comforting, flavorful, and made for sharing.

Why I Love This Recipe ❤️

I love this recipe because it takes simple, wholesome ingredients and transforms them into a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. The layers of pasta, savory beef sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella melt together into a perfect bite every time. What makes it special is how versatile it is—you can make it ahead, freeze it, or adapt it to suit your taste.

It’s a labor of love that always pays off. Serving lasagna feels like sharing a piece of tradition, and watching everyone dig into it is pure joy.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Classic Italian favorite – rich, layered, and satisfying.
• Feeds a crowd – perfect for families, potlucks, and parties.
• Make-ahead & freezer-friendly – great for meal prep.
• Customizable – works with beef, sausage, chicken, or vegetarian fillings.
• Comfort food at its best – cheesy, meaty, and utterly delicious.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Servings: 8–10 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~480 kcal

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: Italian-American
• Course: Main Course

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500g (1 lb) ground beef (or beef + Italian sausage mix)
• 1 can (28 oz / 800g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Other Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles (or no-boil lasagna sheets)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the meat sauce.
2. Mix ricotta with egg, Parmesan, and parsley.
3. Boil noodles until al dente.
4. Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and repeat.
5. Bake until bubbly and golden.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Sauté onion until soft (about 5 minutes).
• Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add ground beef, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
• Simmer for 20 minutes to thicken.

2. Cook the Noodles

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  (If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.)

3. Make the Ricotta Mixture

• In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Stir until smooth and creamy.

4. Assemble the Lasagna

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a 9×13-inch baking dish:
  1. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
  2. Add a layer of noodles.
  3. Spread ricotta mixture over noodles.
  4. Sprinkle mozzarella.
  5. Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
  6. Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.

5. Bake

• Cover with foil (to prevent burning) and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

How to Serve

• Serve warm, cut into squares.
• Pair with garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
• A glass of red wine (like Chianti or Merlot) makes it extra special.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Let lasagna rest before slicing—it helps layers set.
• Add Italian sausage for extra flavor in the sauce.
• Use fresh herbs (basil, parsley) for a fresher taste.
• For a lighter version, use ground turkey or chicken.

Variations

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Use roasted veggies (zucchini, eggplant, mushrooms) instead of meat.
• Spinach Ricotta Lasagna: Mix chopped spinach into the ricotta filling.
• White Lasagna: Swap tomato sauce for a creamy béchamel sauce.
• Cheesy Overload: Add provolone, fontina, or gouda for more cheesy depth.

Freezing & Storage

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezing (uncooked or cooked): Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Bake frozen lasagna (covered) at 375°F (190°C) for about 1 hour, or thaw overnight before reheating.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large skillet (for sauce)
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large pot (for pasta)
• Mixing bowls
• Aluminum foil

Conclusion

Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Ricotta Cheese is the ultimate Italian comfort food—a perfect blend of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and gooey mozzarella layered between pasta sheets. It’s hearty, delicious, and guaranteed to impress at the dinner table.

This recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves rich, cheesy, and flavorful meals. Whether you’re serving family, friends, or guests, lasagna will always be a dish that warms hearts and satisfies appetites.

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Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Ricotta Cheese

Author: admin Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Pasta

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 70 mins Total Time 1 hr 40 mins

Servings: 8 Calories: 480 kcal

Description

Lasagna is one of the most beloved Italian comfort foods in the world—a hearty, layered pasta dish that brings together tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g (1 lb)
• 1 can (28 oz / 800g)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Other Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles (or no-boil lasagna sheets)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

1. 1. Prepare the Meat Sauce : Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.Sauté onion until soft (about 5 minutes).Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.Add ground beef, cook until browned, and drain excess fat.Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper.Simmer for 20 minutes to thicken.
2. 2. Cook the Noodles : Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Cook lasagna noodles until al dente, then drain and set aside. (If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.)
3. 3. Make the Ricotta Mixture : In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper.Stir until smooth and creamy.
4. 4. Assemble the Lasagna : Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).In a 9x13-inch baking dish:Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.Add a layer of noodles.Spread ricotta mixture over noodles.Sprinkle mozzarella.Repeat layers until ingredients are used, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.Sprinkle Parmesan over the top.
5. 5. Bake : Cover with foil (to prevent burning) and bake for 30 minutes.Remove foil and bake another 15–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Keywords: Lasagna with Meat Sauce and Ricotta Cheese