Name: Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (15-20% fat content); 1 medium onion, finely diced; 2 large garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 24 oz Marinara Sauce (3 cups); 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped; 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente; 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese; 15 oz reduced fat ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped, plus more to garnish; 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 14 reviews

If you’ve ever craved a comforting, hearty dinner that feels like a warm hug, you’re going to love this Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe. It’s a crowd-pleaser for good reason—layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles come together effortlessly, making it perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Stick with me here—I’m going to share some personal tips that’ll have your lasagna turning out perfectly every time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple yet Classic: The recipe sticks to the essentials, balancing rich meat and creamy cheese without overwhelming flavors.
Easy Prep: Using everyday ingredients and straightforward steps makes it perfect for cooks at any skill level.
Texture Balance: Al dente noodles paired with a luscious cheese sauce keep every bite satisfying but never mushy.
Flavor Depth: A splash of red wine or beef broth in the meat sauce elevates the taste without fuss.

Easy Beef Lasagna, classic beef lasagna, homemade lasagna recipe, comforting dinner ideas, easiest lasagna for beginners - A white rectangular baking dish holds a thick lasagna with about five layers visible; the bottom layer is flat orange pasta sheets, followed by a rich dark brown meat sauce, then another layer of pasta, meat sauce, and a top layer covered in melted golden cheese with brown spots. Small bits of fresh green parsley are sprinkled evenly on top, adding a fresh touch. The dish sits on a red and white checkered cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a role in crafting lasagna that’s both rich and approachable. I always recommend getting quality marinara and fresh herbs when you can—it really shines through in the final dish.

Easy Beef Lasagna, classic beef lasagna, homemade lasagna recipe, comforting dinner ideas, easiest lasagna for beginners - Flat lay of fresh ground beef in a neat mound, one medium diced onion in small white ceramic bowl, two whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white bowl filled with dry red wine, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl with bright red marinara sauce, a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt, a small white bowl with ground black pepper, a small white bowl holding dried thyme, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, fresh parsley sprigs, nine cooked al dente flat rectangular lasagna noodles neatly stacked, a simple white ceramic bowl with creamy low-fat cottage cheese, a simple white ceramic bowl with smooth reduced fat ricotta cheese, one large whole uncracked egg with clean shell, a small white bowl holding shredded mozzarella cheese, all ingredients arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: I prefer 15-20% fat for juicy flavor without too much grease.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed with the beef.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings that classic Italian aroma.
Dry red wine (or beef broth): Adds savory complexity; feel free to skip if you want to keep it kid-friendly.
Olive oil: Helps brown the beef and sauté onions without sticking.
Marinara sauce: The heart of the flavor—homemade or a trusty store-bought brand works.
Sea salt & black pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance every part.
Dried thyme: Earthy herb notes that complement the meat and tomato.
Granulated sugar: Just a pinch to balance acidity in the sauce.
Parsley: Freshness and a nice pop of green throughout.
Lasagna noodles: Cooked al dente to retain firmness after baking.
Low-fat cottage cheese: Keeps the cheese sauce light and creamy.
Reduced fat ricotta cheese: Rich texture without heavy creaminess.
Egg: Binds the cheese mixture for perfect layering.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that stretchy, gooey goodness.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

One of the things I love about this Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. Feel free to adjust the herbs, swap cheeses, or even add veggies to suit what your family loves.

Vegetable Boost: I sometimes add sautéed spinach or mushrooms into the meat sauce to sneak in some greens—my kids never notice!
Spicy Kick: If you like a little heat, toss in some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce—I like that subtle warmth.
Cheese Swap: Swap part of the mozzarella for provolone or fontina for a nuttier flavor.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and double-check your marinara for gluten to keep it safe for sensitive eaters.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Beef & Build That Sauce

Start by heating the olive oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions, breaking up the meat as you cook. This usually takes about 5 minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onions soften. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until you can smell that wonderful aroma wafting through your kitchen. Pour in the wine (or beef broth), stirring for a couple of minutes until it mostly evaporates—that’s what builds flavor without heaviness. Next, in goes the marinara sauce along with salt, pepper, thyme, sugar, and parsley. Bring everything to a simmer, cover, and let it cook gently for 5 minutes. This step makes all the difference—it deepens the flavors and gets the sauce nice and rich.

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Sauce

While your sauce simmers, mix together the cottage cheese, ricotta, one cup of mozzarella, egg, and parsley in a large bowl. The egg acts as a binder, so your cheese layers don’t become runny during baking. Give it a good stir so all those luscious cheeses come together harmoniously. It’s one of my favorite parts because it’s so simple yet creates such creamy layers.

Step 3: Cook Your Noodles Perfectly

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles until just al dente, usually following the package directions closely. I like to keep a timer handy because overcooked noodles will get mushy after baking, and that’s the last thing you want. Drain and rinse them with cold water immediately to stop cooking—this also helps the noodles from sticking together when assembling.

Step 4: Layer it Up

Preheat your oven to 375˚F. In a deep 9×13 casserole dish, spread half a cup of the meat sauce on the bottom—trust me, this prevents sticking and adds flavor right from the base. Layer 3 noodles over the sauce, then spread one-third of the remaining meat sauce evenly on top. Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella, then dollop and spread half the cheese sauce. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with the mozzarella cheese on top to get that perfect golden crust.

Step 5: Bake and Broil for Perfection

Before baking, poke several toothpicks across the surface to keep the foil from sticking to your cheesy masterpiece—that little trick saved me more than once! Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 45 minutes. After that, remove the foil and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese bubbles and turns a gorgeous golden brown. Lastly, and this is crucial, let your lasagna rest for about 30 minutes before slicing. I know it’s tough to wait, but the resting time helps everything set up so you get clean, perfect pieces with every slice.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe

Use Quality Marinara: I’ve found that a flavorful marinara sauce saves time and adds depth without extra effort.
Don’t Skip Resting: Letting the lasagna cool for 30 minutes stopped it from falling apart during serving—total game changer.
Prevent Sticking: Poking toothpicks before covering with foil keeps cheese from sticking, making cleanup easier.
Cook Noodles Perfectly: Timing noodles al dente ensures they bake into perfect tenderness without becoming mushy.

How to Serve Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe

Easy Beef Lasagna, classic beef lasagna, homemade lasagna recipe, comforting dinner ideas, easiest lasagna for beginners - The image shows a close-up of a large piece of lasagna being lifted from a white baking dish by a black spatula held by a woman's hand. The lasagna has several visible layers: a top layer of melted and slightly browned cheese with green parsley sprinkled on it, beneath that a layer of orange cheese mixed with meat sauce, then pasta sheets, a creamy white cheese layer, another pasta sheet, and a thick bottom layer of meat sauce. The cheese stretches in long strands from the lifted piece back to the dish, giving a melted and stretchy look. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle extra fresh parsley over the top right before serving; it adds a pop of color and a light, herbal brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I add a drizzle of good olive oil or even a sprinkle of finely grated Parmesan for extra umami.

Side Dishes

This lasagna pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to balance the richness. Garlic bread or a simple roasted vegetable medley also complements it perfectly, making the meal feel well-rounded.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to make individual portions in mini casserole dishes or even large muffin tins—perfect for portion control and fancy presentation. Layering zucchini or eggplant slices with the noodles adds a fun twist and appeals to veggie lovers.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cover leftovers tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. The flavors actually mellow and deepen overnight, so the next-day lasagna can taste even better!

Freezing

This recipe freezes wonderfully. I freeze lasagna either before baking (wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap) or after baking and cooling. When frozen baked lasagna, I tightly wrap portions in foil and place in a freezer bag, using within 3 months for best flavor.

Reheating

To reheat, cover the lasagna with foil and bake at 350˚F for 20–25 minutes or until warmed through. If reheating single slices, the microwave works fine but try to keep the sauce moist by adding a tiny splash of water and covering it.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of meat for this lasagna?

Absolutely! While ground beef is classic in this recipe, you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even Italian sausage. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure the meat is fully cooked and seasoned well.
Do I have to boil the lasagna noodles before layering?

For this recipe, yes, boiling the noodles al dente helps them achieve the perfect texture after baking. However, if you use no-boil lasagna noodles, you’ll need to add extra sauce to keep them moist and adjust baking time accordingly.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?

Definitely! You can assemble the lasagna a day ahead, cover it tightly, and keep it in the fridge. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to baking time if baking straight from cold.
How do I prevent the lasagna from getting watery?

Using the egg in your cheese sauce helps bind moisture, and cooking the meat sauce down slightly helps reduce excess liquid. Also, don’t overcook your noodles—they should be al dente to absorb just enough sauce without becoming soggy.

Final Thoughts

I can’t tell you how many times this Easy Beef Lasagna Recipe has served as my go-to comfort food—it’s like a familiar friend on a busy day or a celebration centerpiece that’s always welcomed at the table. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a favorite in my kitchen. So grab your apron and give it a go—you’ll be rewarded with warm layers of tasty, cheesy goodness that everyone will be asking for seconds of!