The Best Homemade Lasagna
From-scratch meaty tomato sauce is layered with ricotta and an abundance of mozzarella and parmesan for the perfect homemade lasagna.
- Prep time
- 1 hr 30 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb Italian sausage ((mild or spicy))
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, (diced (about 1 cup))
- 4-6 cloves fresh garlic, (minced or chopped)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 16 oz tomato sauce
- 12 oz tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried basil ((or a handful of fresh - chopped))
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon + 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, (divided)
- freshly ground black pepper, (to taste)
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, (chopped and divided)
- 16 oz ricotta
- 16 oz shredded mozzarella
- 1 1/2 cups shredded parmesan ((NOT powdered!))
- 9 oz box oven ready lasagna noodles
Instructions
- 1
In a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat, add ground beef and sausage then cook until mostly brown. Add onion and garlic then continue cooking until until meat is fully browned.
- 2
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, Italian seasoning, basil, fennel, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for one hour.
- 3
Add all but 2 tablespoons chopped parsley to sauce. Stir. Taste and add more salt if needed. Remove from heat.
- 4
Preheat oven to 375° F.
- 5
In a medium-sized bowl, combine ricotta, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and remaining fresh parsley.
- 6
To assemble, spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray then ladle in enough sauce to coat bottom of dish. Add 4-6 pieces of lasagna over sauce (it's ok if they overlap a little). Add 1/3 of ricotta mixture then carefully spread across pasta. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella, 1/3 of meat sauce then 1/3 of the Parmesan. Repeat layers two more times ending in sauce and remaining cheese.
- 7
Cover tightly with nonstick foil (or spray regular foil with cooking spray). Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil and cook for 20-25 additional minutes. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.