Hearty, savory, and loaded with layers of rich flavor, The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe is everything you love about comforting home-cooked Italian food. This dish brings together ribbons of perfectly cooked noodles, a meaty tomato sauce bursting with herbs, and indulgent ribbons of creamy ricotta and melted mozzarella. Each bite offers the perfect balance of pasta, sauce, and cheese, all with a golden, bubbly top that feels like a cozy hug. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want guaranteed leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, this recipe is about to become a staple in your kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Crafting The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe is all about starting with classic, simple ingredients that shine in each layer. Every element here brings texture, depth, or that signature Italian flavor—so let’s walk through what you need and why it matters.
- Lasagna noodles: Sturdy pasta sheets soak up flavor and separate every delicious layer—don’t overcook for best results!
- Ground beef: Adds hearty, meaty richness and forms the foundation of the sauce.
- Italian sausage: Infuses each bite with extra seasoning and just a hint of spice.
- Onion: Brings sweetness and depth to the savory sauce as it cooks down.
- Garlic: The aromatic backbone for classic Italian flavor—freshly minced is best.
- Crushed tomatoes: Give body, tang, and that “simmered all day” taste.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies tomato flavor and thickens the sauce to the right consistency.
- Tomato sauce: Adds extra moisture to bind together the sauce elements.
- Water: Keeps the sauce from becoming too thick as it simmers.
- Sugar: Balances acidity from the tomatoes with just a touch of sweetness.
- Dried basil: A classic Italian herb that brightens up the sauce.
- Italian seasoning: The “secret” dried herb blend that ties everything together.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential for flavor and seasoning throughout every layer.
- Fresh parsley: A pop of freshness—used in both the filling and for garnish.
- Egg: Helps bind the ricotta cheese mixture so it doesn’t ooze out of the layers.
- Ricotta cheese: Lends creamy, dreamy pockets of lightness amidst the sauce and noodles.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey bliss for every forkful—don’t skimp!
- Parmesan cheese: Nutty, salty, and sharp, it gives your topping a golden finish.
- Olive oil: For sautéing the aromatics and adding rich, fruity undertones.
How to Make The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Noodles
Kick things off by boiling a big pot of salted water and cooking your lasagna noodles just until al dente. Don’t overcook—they’re going into the oven and will finish softening there! Once drained, lay them out flat on some parchment or wax paper. This key move keeps them from sticking together and tearing before you start layering.
Step 2: Brown the Meat and Aromatics
Grab your largest skillet and heat up a glug of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the ground beef, Italian sausage, diced onion, and minced garlic until everything is browned, crumbly, and irresistibly fragrant. Be sure to break up the meat as it cooks, and don’t forget to drain off any excess fat to keep the lasagna delicious but not greasy.
Step 3: Make the Rich Tomato Sauce
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, water, sugar, dried basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. This gorgeous mixture needs about 30 minutes to simmer away, thickening and developing flavor as it bubbles. Give it a stir now and then—the result will be a sauce that tastes like it’s been lovingly tended for hours!
Step 4: Mix the Cheesy Ricotta Filling
In a small mixing bowl, blend together the ricotta cheese, egg, two tablespoons of fresh parsley, and a pinch of salt. The egg helps the ricotta mixture set so you get those neat, creamy layers in every slice of The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe.
Step 5: Assemble the Layers
This is where the magic happens and the “layered” part truly shines! Start by spreading one cup of the hearty meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with four noodles, then spread on a third of your ricotta mixture, a cup of mozzarella, and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Repeat these delicious layers twice more, ending with all the remaining sauce and a generous mound of cheese over the top.
Step 6: Bake to Golden, Bubbly Perfection
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes to keep everything moist while the cheese warms and the flavors meld. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes. This is where the top turns irresistibly golden and the edges get just a bit crisp. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes after baking—this not only makes it easier to slice, but it lets every layer settle into place.
How to Serve The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
Just before serving, finish your masterpiece with a generous shower of the reserved fresh parsley. This simple touch adds a splash of color and bright flavor, making each slice of The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe look as inviting as it tastes. A little extra grated Parmesan never hurts either!
Side Dishes
Lasagna is a star all on its own, but a fresh green salad lightly tossed with vinaigrette makes an ideal partner, balancing the richness. Warm, crusty garlic bread is another crowd favorite—perfect for swiping up every last drop of that hearty sauce. For a little extra Italian flair, serve with roasted vegetables or marinated olives.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to wow your guests? Try baking individual portions of The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe in ramekins for a special-occasion dinner. Or, slice and stack servings tall, then drizzle with a little extra sauce and a touch more cheese before broiling briefly for an elegant, restaurant-inspired twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled to room temperature, store leftover lasagna tightly wrapped or in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors only deepen overnight—and The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe reheats beautifully for up to four days. In fact, some say it’s even tastier on day two!
Freezing
Lasagna is a true freezer hero. You can assemble The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe right up to the point of baking, then cover tightly with foil and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. Even leftover slices freeze well—wrap them individually for a cozy, home-cooked lunch any time.
Reheating
For best results, reheat slices of lasagna in a 350°F oven, covered with foil to prevent drying out, until hot and bubbly. A microwave works in a pinch, but oven heating gives the best texture. If needed, splash a spoonful of water or extra sauce over the top to keep things moist.
FAQs
Can I make The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe vegetarian?
Absolutely! Simply omit the meat and load up on sautéed veggies like mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. You’ll get all the cozy comfort, minus the meat.
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?
Yes, but you’ll want to add a bit more sauce—no-boil noodles absorb more liquid as they cook. Make sure your layers are generous so the pasta comes out tender and delicious.
What’s the best way to keep lasagna from becoming watery?
Let your sauce simmer until thick and avoid overcooking the noodles. Letting the lasagna rest before slicing also helps everything set up for picture-perfect layers.
How far in advance can I assemble lasagna?
You can assemble The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe up to a day ahead. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight, then bake just before serving for ultimate freshness and flavor.
Can I mix different cheeses in the layers?
Definitely! Feel free to swap mozzarella with provolone or fontina, or add a little extra Parmesan if you like. This recipe is deliciously flexible when it comes to cheesy goodness.
Final Thoughts
Once you try The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe, you’ll see why it’s always a hit—cozy, crowd-pleasing, and brimming with flavor in every comforting bite. Whether you stick to the classic or add your own personal spins, this is the kind of hearty, homemade meal that brings everyone to the table. Give it a whirl tonight!
Print
The BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this BEST Layered Lasagna Recipe. With layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and aromatic herbs, this classic dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (divided)
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 large egg
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook Noodles: Boil lasagna noodles until al dente, then drain and lay flat to cool.
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Brown ground beef and sausage with onion and garlic. Add tomatoes, paste, sauce, water, spices, and simmer.
- Make Cheese Filling: Combine ricotta, egg, parsley, and salt in a bowl.
- Assemble: Layer sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, and repeat. Finish with sauce and cheeses on top.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake, then uncover and bake until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest before slicing and garnishing with parsley.
Notes
- You can make the meat sauce ahead and store it.
- For a vegetarian version, skip the meat and add sautéed veggies.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
