Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese

Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese is a loved dish enjoyed by many for generations. This hearty Italian pasta dish features layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a rich and creamy ricotta cheese filling. It’s comforting, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or a cozy family dinner. 

Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese on a plate with a salad and text overlay.

Classic Homemade Lasagna

Growing up in a big Italian family, we had the best lasagna for Sunday dinner. My mom would spend a lot of time making homemade lasagna for her family. Over the years, I changed her original recipe a bit and took a few shortcuts to make my lasagna easier and faster to prepare. However, it’s still tasty, flavorful, and a dish the whole family enjoys. This lasagna recipe is my favorite and the only one I use for my family. So the next time you crave some Italian cooking with layers of noodles, make a pan of this easy homemade lasagna with ricotta cheese. It won’t disappoint. 

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Although it may seem intimidating, anyone can create this easy and delicious dish.

  • This is the easiest way to prepare baked lasagna and is the perfect meal for any night of the week. 
  • A classic recipe with a hearty meat sauce.
  • A serving of lasagna is the ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients Needed for Easy Classic Lasagna Recipe

The ingredients for this recipe can be found at your local grocery store. For measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

Ingredients needed for making homemade lasagna with text overlay.
  • Lasagna Noodles– Use regular lasagna noodles for this recipe. There is no need to boil noodles in this recipe. Do not use the Oven Ready Noodles. 
  • Ground Beef– Use whatever ground beef you desire. Lean ground beef works nicely, but use what you have on hand.
  • Pork Sausage or Italian Sausage– I like to add sausage to my lasagna for more flavor. Sometimes I swap out the regular pork sausage for sweet Italian sausage. 
  • Onion– Onion adds flavor to the meat mixture.
  • Minced Garlic– I always use garlic in my Italian dishes.
  • Pasta Sauce– Use your favorite spaghetti sauce (pasta sauce). Feel free to make a homemade pasta sauce using your favorite tomato sauce. A marinara sauce will work nicely.
  • Water– I like using a little water to thin the sauce.
  • Ricotta Cheese– One of my favorite cheeses in this basic lasagna recipe. 
  • Mozzarella Cheese– Don’t skimp on the cheese. A good lasagna dish has to have cheese.
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese– Parmesan cheese makes this dish even better.

Preparing the Meat Filling

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef, sausage, onion, and garlic until no longer pink. Drain fat.
  • Stir in the pasta sauce and water. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.

Making the Cheese Filling

The cheese layer is tasty. So don’t skimp on the cheese. Cheese makes a good lasagna great!

  • Mix and combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella, and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.

How to Assemble the Lasagna

This recipe makes an entire 9″x13″ casserole dish. It will feed a hungry family with leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day. 

  • Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the prepared casserole dish. Top it with 4 lasagna noodles, breaking to fit if needed—layer with ⅓ of the ricotta cheese mixture and 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat twice more. Finish with remaining sauce.
Steps for preparing lasagna with ricotta cheese with text overlay.

How Long to Cook the Lasagna

  • Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. 
  • Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips and Variations for Making Lasagna

  • Make the sauce and cheese filling ahead to cut down on time. This will allow the flavors to meld together, creating a flavorful lasagna.
  • Please don’t skimp on the cheese for best results. Lasagna is all about the cheese, so be sure to use plenty. A good mix of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheese will create a rich, tasty, and creamy filling.
  • Add some fresh herbs to the ricotta mixture. Fresh basil or fresh parsley would be nice additions.
  • Add some Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the sausage for more flavor.
  • If you like the oven-ready noodles, feel free to use them. Also, boil noodles if you desire. Then, follow the package directions. 
  • Make sure the noodles are in a single layer.
  • * Pro Tip– Place a baking sheet under the casserole dish while baking. This will catch any/all of the overflows or boilovers that might happen. 

Be sure to check out my Italian Sausage Stuffed Manicotti for another delicious Italian dinner.

How to Cook Lasagna Noodles Without Boiling

Traditional lasagna recipes require you to boil the noodles before assembling the layers but not this one. Using uncooked noodles is the way I make my lasagna. I prefer to soak my noodles while preparing the ingredients, making the meat and cheese sauce. Then, when I am ready to assemble the lasagna, the noodles are ready. 

Soaking lasagna noodles is super easy. Place the noodles in a baking dish and fill the container with hot tap water. That’s it! Leave it on the counter for 30 minutes while preparing other lasagna ingredients. The noodles won’t get soggy and are much easier to handle when layering.

Lasagna slice on a white plate with a green salad and text overlay.

How Many Layers In Classic Lasagna

A good lasagna recipe usually has 3-4 layers. Most of the time, I have 3 layers.

Italian Sausage and Pasta is another family pleasing meal that is always a winner.

How Long Do You Cook Lasagna

This is an easy lasagna recipe using simple ingredients. Once you layer the lasagna, it’s time to bake it. First, cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Then, remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

How Long to Cool Lasagna Before Slicing

This takes a little willpower to allow the lasagna to rest before slicing. Trust me- it’s hot! But, allowing the lasagna to rest will give the sauce a few minutes to set up and not be runny. This also helps the lasagna to keep its shape when slicing.

A Make-Ahead Lasagna Recipe 

Lasagna can be made and refrigerated for up to a day before baking. Assemble as directed, cover tightly, and refrigerate before baking. Allow the cold lasagna to sit on the counter at room temperature for at least 20-25 minutes before baking. If you bake straight out of the refrigerator, you will need to add more time and adjust accordingly.

Cheesy Chicken Ranch Pasta Casserole is a true comfort food recipe. This casserole is filled with mouthwatering ingredients that will have your taste buds dancing.

How to Store Leftover Lasagna

Store all leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.

FAQs

You can microwave leftovers for a few minutes until hot or reheat them in the oven at  350 degrees until hot throughout.

There is no need to boil the noodles for this recipe. I use regular lasagna noodles, and I do not boil them. Instead, place the noodles in a baking dish and fill it with hot tap water. Leave it on the counter for 30 minutes while preparing other lasagna ingredients. 

Best Side Dishes for Lasagna

Garlic Bread is an easy side dish to serve with lasagna. It’s great for grabbing all of that delicious sauce on the plate.

Grilled Corn on the Cob screams summertime. Sweet, smoky, charred, and crunchy. As the weather gets warmer, the corn just gets sweeter. Does it get any better?

Southern Fried Dill Pickles-If you have never had Fried Dill Pickles before, then you are missing out on a treat. Seriously, they are so easy to make you will wonder why you have never tried these babies before.

For More Baked Dishes:

Oven Baked Buffalo Wings

Baked Beans with Ground Beef

Cheesy Cabbage Casserole

Desserts to Serve with Homemade Lasagna

Kool-Aid Pie – Kool-Aid Pie is a unique, nostalgic, flavorful, and simple dessert for spring and summer. A 4-ingredient easy and inexpensive dessert that comes together fast.

Southern Buttermilk Pie– A delicious classic southern buttermilk pie that’s tangy has a creamy custard filling and comes together in minutes.

No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie– An easy No Bake Cookie Recipe that’s incredibly simple to make and everyone will love. These No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies only require a few simple ingredients and come together in minutes.

Easy Homemade Lasagna sliced on a white plate with a salad with text overlay.
Homemade Lasagna on a white plate with a green salad.

Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese

Gina Abernathy
Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta Cheese is a loved dish enjoyed for generations. This hearty Italian pasta dish features layers of pasta, savory meat sauce, and a rich and creamy ricotta cheese filling. It's comforting, satisfying, and perfect for feeding a crowd or a cozy family dinner. 
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 12 servings
Calories 427 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 pound pork sausage or Italian sausage
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 24 ounce pasta sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 ounce ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Soak Lasagna Noodles (see notes below)
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown beef, sausage, onion, and garlic until no longer pink. Drain fat.
  • Stir in the pasta sauce and water. Simmer uncovered over medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl, make the cheese mixture. Mix and combine ricotta cheese, 1 ½ cups mozzarella, ½ cup parmesan cheese.
  • Layer: First layer- Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the prepared casserole dish. Top it with 4 lasagna noodles, breaking to fit if needed—layer with ⅓ of the ricotta cheese mixture, spreading to cover noodles. Repeat layers twice more- meat, noodles, cheese. Finish with remaining sauce.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. 
  • Remove the foil and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Bake for 7-10 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
  • Allow lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Soaking lasagna noodles is super easy. Place the noodles in a baking dish and fill the dish with hot tap water. That’s it! Leave it on the counter for 30 minutes while preparing other lasagna ingredients.
I bought a 16-ounce box of lasagna noodles. These were the regular lasagna noodles. You will only need some of them. Save the rest for another dish. 

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 23gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 566mgPotassium: 305mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 206IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 219mgIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Sharing is caring!

5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband just walked in with a big tub of ricotta,I had no clue what to do! Thankyou for such a lovely recipe to use it up.

  2. 5 stars
    Enjoyed this for dinner tonight and it was a savory success! Hearty and bold; easily, a new family favorite dish!

5 from 5 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating