recipe: “best lasagna i’ve ever had”

The Perfect Lasagna Recipe

Every so often, I stumble upon a recipe that’s just right on the very first try. That was the case with this homemade lasagna—it was absolutely delicious! Everyone loved it, and the leftovers were just as tasty. I didn’t take the best pictures this time, but trust me, it was cheesy, beautiful, and everything you’d want in a lasagna.

If you’re ready to give it a try, here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef

• 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) crushed tomatoes

• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste

• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup water

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves

• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For the Cheese Filling:

• 16 ounces ricotta cheese

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

For the Lasagna:

• 12 lasagna noodles

• 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce:

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.

2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water.

3. Add sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley.

4. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Cheese Filling:

In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix until well blended.

Cook the Lasagna Noodles:

1. Cook the noodles according to package instructions.

2. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

Assemble the Lasagna:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish.

3. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles lengthwise over the meat sauce.

4. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Top with one-third of the mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.

5. Repeat layers twice, finishing with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.

Bake the Lasagna:

1. Cover with aluminum foil (spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking).

2. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes, until the top is golden and the sauce is bubbling.

3. Let the lasagna cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Tips for Perfect Lasagna

Simmer the Sauce: Let the meat sauce simmer for at least 1 1/2 hours to develop rich, deep flavors.

Season Each Layer: Lightly season each layer of lasagna with salt and pepper to ensure every bite is flavorful.

Cook Noodles Al Dente: Boil the noodles until just al dente—they’ll continue cooking in the oven.

Let It Rest: After baking, allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.

Enjoy this crowd-pleasing lasagna—it’s sure to become a favorite in your home too!