I’d never had this kind of pasta before, and it was unbelievably good!
This timeless dish has everything you expect from a great lasagna: soft, layered noodles, a hearty meat sauce, and a creamy, cheesy filling. It’s the ideal main dish for a cozy family Sunday meal.
Traditional Beef Lasagna
Ingredients
- Lasagna noodles – 9
- Ground beef – 1 lb
- Small onion, finely chopped – 1
- Garlic, minced – 2 cloves
- Marinara sauce – 1 jar (24 oz)
- Ricotta cheese – 1 container (15 oz)
- Egg – 1
- Shredded mozzarella cheese – 2 cups
- Grated Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
- Olive oil – 1 tbsp
- Salt and black pepper – to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the oven and noodles
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain and lay them flat on parchment paper to keep them from sticking.
Step 2: Cook the onion, garlic, and beef
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion becomes soft and translucent. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
Step 3: Simmer the sauce
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the beef. Reduce heat and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors come together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Mix the ricotta filling
In a medium bowl, whisk the egg into the ricotta cheese until smooth and fully blended.
Step 5: Assemble the lasagna
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 noodles on top.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle about ⅔ cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
- Add another layer of meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles topped with the remaining meat sauce.
Step 6: Add cheese and bake
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Step 7: Brown the top
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.Step 8: Rest and serve
Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 10 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers set so each slice holds together perfectly.
