Creamy lasagna is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of flavor, comfort, and togetherness. This iconic dish, with its delicious layers of pasta, savory sauce, and gooey cheese, has a way of making any occasion feel special. Whether you’re a fan of the classic recipe or like to add your own twist, this meal never fails to impress. Get ready to create a dish that’s as satisfying to make as it is to eat!
Preparation time ⏰:
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of Portions 🍽:
Serves 8
Ingredients for creamy lasagna:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef
- 1/2 lb (225g) ground pork or Italian sausage (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes
- can (15 oz) of tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves (optional for added flavor)
- Olive oil
For the Ricotta Mixture:
- 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or 1 teaspoon dried)
For Assembly:
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (about 1 lb), cooked according to package instructions
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for the top layer)
Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 560 kcal
Protein: 35g
Fat: 30g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Note: These values are approximate and may vary depending on portion sizes and specific brands of ingredients used.
Instructions:
Make the Meat Sauce
- First in a large skillet or saucepan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat.
- Shortly after add the onion and cook until it’s translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Then the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Next the ground beef and pork, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned.
- Drain any excess fat if needed, then add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, and also oregano.
- Season with salt and pepper, then let the sauce simmer for 20–30 minutes to develop flavors. Stir occasionally. (Combine a few torn basil leaves if desired.)
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
- Before moving on in a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Toss the lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually around 8–10 minutes for al dente.
- Drain and lay the noodles flat on a baking sheet, separating them so they don’t stick together
Assemble the Lasagna:
- At this point preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top, slightly overlapping.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Next pour 1/3 of the meat sauce on top of the cheese.
- Repeat this process two more times, layering noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and meat sauce.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Bake the Lasagna:
- Then cover the lasagna with aluminum foil (moreover to prevent sticking, you can spray the underside of the foil with a little cooking spray).
- After that bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Finally remove the foil, sprinkle with a bit more mozzarella and Parmesan if desired, and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top. Now creamy lasagna is done.
Serving Tip 💡:
Serve your lasagna with a crisp, fresh salad, such as a simple Caesar or a mixed green salad. The freshness and crunch will balance the meal.
