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The Ultimate Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta

This Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta is a classic Italian dish featuring layers of rich marinara sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, seasoned ground meat, and gooey mozzarella. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, this comforting dish is packed with flavor and easy to make ahead for meal prep or freezing.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb 450g ground beef or Italian sausage
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp sugar

For the Ricotta Mixture:

  • 15 oz ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Lasagna Layers:

  • 12 lasagna noodles regular or no-boil
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.
  • Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
  • Add ground beef or sausage, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned (5-7 minutes), then drain excess grease.
  • Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste.
  • Add water, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Stir to combine.
  • Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles

  • If using regular lasagna noodles, boil them in salted water until al dente.
  • Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
  • If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.

Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

  • In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, garlic powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper.
  • Mix well until smooth.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Add 3-4 lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping them.
  • Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
  • Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
  • Repeat layers (sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used.
  • Finish with a final layer of noodles, remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

  • Cover with foil (lightly tented).
  • Bake for 25 minutes covered.
  • Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  • Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Make Ahead: Assemble lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • Freezing: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
  • Variations: Substitute ground turkey for beef, add spinach for a veggie boost, or use gluten-free noodles.