Baked Lasagna: A Layered Delight for Family Dinners

A classic baked lasagna with layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese. Perfect for a hearty and satisfying family dinner!

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Gather the family around for a classic Italian dish with Baked Lasagna: A Layered Delight for Family Dinners.

This comforting and hearty lasagna features layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese, all baked to perfection. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser, making it perfect for special occasions or any cozy family dinner.

How to Make Baked Lasagna 👇👇👇

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Cheese Filling:

15 oz ricotta cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembling:

12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Make the Meat Sauce:

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.

Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Simmer the sauce for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors meld.

2. Prepare the Cheese Filling:

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.

3. Assemble the Lasagna:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers twice more, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and a generous sprinkling of mozzarella cheese on top.

4. Bake the Lasagna:

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.