Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe

If there’s a dish that truly defines comfort food, it’s lasagna. Imagine pulling a bubbling, golden-brown casserole from the oven, the scent of slow-simmered tomato sauce, garlic, and melted cheese filling your kitchen. Each slice reveals perfect layers: tender pasta sheets, rich and savory meat sauce, and pockets of creamy, herb-flecked ricotta cheese. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone gather around the table a little faster.

This Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe simplifies the classic without sacrificing an ounce of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a Sunday family dinner, prepping a meal for a friend, or just craving something warm and cheesy on a chilly night, this lasagna delivers big time. It’s hearty, nostalgic, and surprisingly simple to assemble, making it perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike. Plus, leftovers taste even better the next day!

Let’s get started on making the ultimate cozy dinner staple.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Foolproof Assembly: No complicated steps—just layer, bake, and enjoy.
• Rich, savory meat sauce: A quick homemade sauce packed with garlic, herbs, and ground beef (or sausage) for depth.
• Cheesy perfection: Three kinds of cheese—creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan—create the ultimate gooey texture.
• Make-ahead friendly: Assemble it a day in advance or freeze it for a busy weeknight savior.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable with spinach, mushrooms, turkey, or gluten-free noodles.
• Crowd-pleaser: Serves a large group and always earns rave reviews.
• If you love hearty pasta bakes like Baked Ziti or Spaghetti Bolognese, this lasagna will become your new favorite.

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until softened (3–4 mins).
• Add ground beef (or sausage) and garlic. Cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
• Stir in the marinara sauce. Simmer for 5–10 minutes to let flavors meld. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Tip: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Italian seasoning for extra zing!

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

• In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, ¼ cup Parmesan, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy.
• Chef’s Tip: Don’t skip the egg! It helps the ricotta layer set beautifully instead of being runny.

3. Cook the Noodles (Skip if using No-Boil)

• Boil lasagna noodles in salted water according to package instructions for al dente (usually 2 mins less than fully cooked).
• Drain and lay noodles flat on parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Lasagna

• Layer 1: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce (about 1 cup) on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking.
• Layer 2: Place 3–4 noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping.
• Layer 3: Spread ½ of the ricotta mixture over noodles. Top with 1 cup of meat sauce and 1 cup of mozzarella.
• Repeat: Add another layer of noodles, remaining ricotta, more meat sauce, and more mozzarella.
• Top Layer: Finish with final noodles, remaining meat sauce, remaining mozzarella, and remaining Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake to Perfection

• Cover dish with foil (tent slightly so cheese doesn’t stick).
• Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Cool: Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This sets the layers for clean cuts!

Tips for Success

• Salt Your Pasta Water: It’s the only chance to flavor the noodles themselves.
• Use No-Boil Noodles: Saves time and absorbs excess sauce perfectly. (Add slightly more sauce if using).
• Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
• Don’t Overstuff: Keep layers even so the lasagna cooks through uniformly.
• Resting is Key: Cutting too soon leads to a messy, sliding lasagna. Be patient!
• Sauce Coverage: Make sure noodles are completely covered in sauce to prevent dry, crunchy edges.

Variations & Substitutions

• Vegetarian Spinach Lasagna: Skip meat; stir sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini into the sauce.
• Spicy Italian: Use hot Italian sausage and add chili flakes.
• White Lasagna: Swap marinara for Alfredo sauce and add spinach and chicken.
• Gluten-Free: Use GF lasagna noodles—works perfectly!
• Turkey or Chicken: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

What to Serve With Lasagna

• Garlic Bread: Essential for soaking up extra sauce.
• Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine and tangy dressing cut the richness.
• Roasted Broccoli or Green Beans: Adds a healthy, fresh crunch.
• Red Wine: A Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully.
• Tiramisu or Gelato: The perfect Italian dessert finish.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers covered for 3–4 days.
• Freezer: Bake, cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheating:
  • From Fridge: Cover with foil, bake at 350°F for 20 mins.
  • From Freezer: Thaw overnight in fridge, then bake covered at 350°F for 30–40 mins.

Nutrition Facts (per slice, 1/12 pan)

High-protein, calcium-rich.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking Noodles: Mushy noodles ruin the texture. Aim for al dente.
• Skimping on Sauce: Dry lasagna is disappointing—be generous with sauce layers.
• Not Letting it Rest: Slicing too hot = lasagna soup. Let it set!
• Sticking Cheese: Spray foil with cooking spray so cheese doesn’t pull off.

FAQ

Can I assemble this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble completely, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10–15 mins to bake time.

Do I have to cook the noodles?
If using standard noodles, yes. If using “oven-ready” or “no-boil,” no—just ensure plenty of sauce.

Why is my lasagna watery?
Vegetables (like spinach) released water, or sauce was too thin. Sauté veggies first and use thick marinara.

Can I freeze unbaked lasagna?
Yes! Assemble, wrap tightly, freeze. Bake from frozen (add 45–60 mins covered) or thaw first.

What’s the best cheese for lasagna?
Whole milk ricotta for creaminess, low-moisture mozzarella for stretch, and Parmesan for flavor punch.

Conclusion

There you have it—an Easy Homemade Lasagna that delivers warm, cheesy, saucy perfection every single time. It’s classic comfort food done right, with minimal stress and maximum flavor. Whether for a holiday feast, a casual dinner party, or a weeknight treat, this recipe never disappoints.

If you loved this, try my Cheesy Hasselback Potato Gratin or Lemony Shrimp and Bean Stew for your next cozy dinner!

Enjoy every cheesy bite

Lasagna

Recipe by Author

A delicious and comforting classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and flavorful fillings. This easy homemade lasagna recipe is versatile and customizable, perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner.

Course: Main Dish Cuisine: Italian Difficulty: medium

★

★

★

★

☆

4.5 from 120 votes

Pin Print

🍽️

Servings

8

⏱️

Prep time

30

minutes

🔥

Cooking time

0

minutes

📊

Calories

480

kcal

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

• Lasagna noodles
• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Ricotta cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Ground beef
• Italian sausage
• Zucchini
• Onion
• Garlic
• Herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)
• Almond or soy milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ground beef and Italian sausage in a pan until browned. Add onion, garlic, and herbs. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer.
3. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese.
4. Slice zucchini thinly lengthwise to use as a low-carb noodle substitute.
5. In a baking dish, start layering the lasagna with a thin layer of sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and zucchini slices. Repeat layers.
6. Finish with a layer of noodles, sauce, and a generous sprinkle of cheese on top.
7. Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
8. Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.
9. Serve and enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna!

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 480

Fat: 22

Carbohydrates: 36

Protein: 33

Sodium: 890

Fiber: 4

Sugar: 8