Description
This Family Favorite Lasagna Recipe is a hearty Italian-American classic featuring layers of creamy herbed ricotta, rich bolognese meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses baked to golden perfection. Perfect for a comforting dinner that feeds a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Herbed Ricotta Mixture
- 30 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 Tbsp minced fresh basil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Pinch ground nutmeg (optional but recommended)
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Cheeses
- 16 oz shredded whole milk Mozzarella cheese (part skim will work as well)
- 1 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Lasagna Assembly
- 12 oz box dried oven-ready wavy lasagna noodles
- 5-6 cups bolognese sauce (homemade or store-bought)
Garnish
- Additional minced fresh basil
- Minced fresh parsley
Bolognese Sauce (Quick Meat Sauce Option)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild)
- 1 medium yellow onion, minced
- 7 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (or substitute beef broth)
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2/3 cup beef broth (reduced sodium preferred)
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley (optional)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare sauce: Make the bolognese sauce following the provided recipe or use store-bought sauce. Set aside.
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a deep 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Make herbed ricotta mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, dried Italian seasoning, minced fresh basil, kosher salt, black pepper, nutmeg if using, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, and the beaten egg. Mix well and set aside.
- Assemble the first layer: Spread about 1 cup of the bolognese sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Lay down 4 lasagna noodles evenly over the sauce. Spread about one-third of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, then sprinkle a layer of mozzarella cheese on top. Add 1 to 1.5 cups of bolognese sauce over the mozzarella and sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat layers: Repeat the layering process two more times: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, bolognese sauce, and Parmesan cheese, ensuring an even spread each time.
- Final layer: Add the final 4 noodles, top with about 1 cup bolognese sauce, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Optionally, sprinkle a bit of dried Italian seasoning on top.
- Cover and bake: Cover the lasagna loosely with a spray-coated sheet of aluminum foil (sprayed side down). Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted with some golden brown spots.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle additional minced fresh basil and parsley on top before serving hot.
Notes
- This is an Italian-American adaptation, not authentic Italian lasagna, but a family favorite.
- Bolognese sauce can be made ahead or frozen for convenience.
- If using store-bought sauce, use between 5 to 6 cups for this recipe.
- If using regular lasagna noodles instead of oven-ready, boil and drain or soak them in hot water for 20-30 minutes before assembling.
- If your baking dish cannot fit 4 noodles per layer, use 3 noodles per layer instead.
- Both the sauce and herbed ricotta mixture can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated for faster assembly.
- For the meat sauce, drain excess fat after browning the meat to avoid greasiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg