Homemade Lasagna With Ricotta

This homemade lasagna with ricotta cheese is the ultimate comfort food that brings family and friends together around the table. Its rich layers of creamy ricotta, savory meat sauce, and bubbly melted cheese create a deliciously satisfying dish that fills the kitchen with inviting aromas. It’s a perfect recipe for weekend dinners or special occasions when you want something hearty and impressive without relying on takeout.

I first made this recipe for a family gathering and was amazed at how quickly it disappeared. Now it’s requested for every celebration because it tastes like a warm hug on a plate.

Ingredients

• Ground beef and Italian sausage: using both adds depth and a nice blend of flavors, look for fresh, quality meat from your local butcher
• Diced onions: build flavor in the sauce, pick firm onions with no soft spots
• Minced garlic: essential for aroma and enhancing the sauce, fresh garlic is always best
• Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste: form the rich tomato base, choose good quality canned tomatoes for the best taste
• Dried basil and oregano: classic Italian herbs that bring out traditional flavors, make sure your herbs are fresh for maximum aroma
• Ricotta cheese: creamy and mild, it softens the layers, use whole milk ricotta for richness
• Eggs: bind the ricotta mixture so the lasagna slices cleanly
• Parmesan cheese: salty sharpness that elevates the filling and topping, freshly grated is key
• Mozzarella cheese: melts beautifully for that gooey finish, opt for whole milk mozzarella
• Lasagna noodles: buy wide, flat noodles, no-boil noodles work too but cook careful to avoid over-soft pasta

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Perfect Meat Sauce:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it down with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat turns golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. This step is crucial because browning caramelizes the meat and deepens the flavor. Next, add diced onions and cook for 5 minutes until they turn translucent and soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for just one minute so it doesn’t burn but releases its fragrance. Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato paste along with dried basil and oregano. Stir everything well and reduce the heat to low. Let the sauce simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to meld the flavors. Season with salt and pepper toward the end, keeping in mind the cheese will add some saltiness later.

Cook the Lasagna Noodles to Perfection:

Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a generous pinch of salt to enhance the pasta’s flavor. Add the noodles carefully and stir gently to keep them from sticking together. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually 8 to 10 minutes. You want the noodles tender yet still firm enough to hold their shape after baking. Drain the noodles and immediately spread them on a clean kitchen towel so they don’t stick as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Create the Creamy Ricotta Mixture:

In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese with beaten eggs, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and a pinch of nutmeg. The eggs help bind everything so the layers hold their shape after baking. Nutmeg adds a subtle warm note that balances the cheese’s richness. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Taste the mixture and add a small pinch of salt if needed, keeping in mind the saltiness level of your cheeses.

Assemble Your Masterpiece:

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter or spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Start with a thin layer of meat sauce to keep the noodles from sticking and add flavor from the bottom up. Arrange four lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping to cover the surface. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Top this with one third of the remaining meat sauce followed by one third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat those layers once more using the remaining ricotta, half of the meat sauce, and another third of the mozzarella. Finish with a final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and the last of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to create a golden crust.

Bake to Golden Perfection:

Cover the dish tightly with foil making sure the foil does not directly touch the cheese surface to avoid sticking. Bake for 35 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly, melted, and golden brown on top. You want slight caramelization on the edges and bubbling sauce visible around the sides, ensuring the lasagna is perfectly cooked. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing so it sets nicely.

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My favorite ingredient is the ricotta cheese because it adds that creamy layer that softens the rich meat sauce. I remember my grandmother serving lasagna every Sunday and the ricotta made it feel like a special treat we all looked forward to.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers, cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to four days. For longer storage, portion the lasagna and freeze in airtight containers. Reheat in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed through to preserve the texture and flavors. Avoid microwaving unless in a pinch as it can make the noodles gummy.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you want a lighter version, substitute ground turkey for beef and sausage. For a vegetarian option, replace the meat sauce with sautéed mushrooms and vegetables and use spinach in the ricotta mixture. No-boil noodles save time but cook careful to avoid over-soft pasta. Cottage cheese may be used instead of ricotta if needed, but the texture will be slightly different.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this lasagna with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. Garlic bread or crusty Italian bread is perfect for soaking up extra sauce. A glass of red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese complements the savory flavors beautifully.

Cultural Context

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Lasagna is a beloved Italian classic dating back centuries with many regional variations. The layering of pasta, meat, sauce, and cheese represents the essence of Italian comfort food. This recipe combines traditional elements, especially the creamy ricotta filling popular in the US, making it a universally cherished dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I prepare the meat sauce for layers?

Brown ground beef and Italian sausage, then add onions and garlic until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, and oregano, then simmer gently for 20-30 minutes to develop deep, rich flavors.

→ What’s the best way to cook lasagna noodles?

Boil noodles in salted water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain and lay them flat on a towel to prevent sticking while assembling.

→ How is the ricotta mixture prepared?

Combine ricotta cheese with beaten eggs, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, and a pinch of nutmeg for a smooth, rich layer that adds creaminess and helps hold the lasagna together.

→ How do I assemble the lasagna layers?

Start with meat sauce at the bottom of the dish, then layer noodles, half the ricotta mixture, a portion of meat sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat and finish with cheese for a golden top.

→ What is the baking method for the final dish?

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts and browns beautifully.

→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, assembling a day ahead allows flavors to meld. Keep refrigerated and bake when ready, adding a few extra minutes if baking chilled.