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. 

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.

• 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.

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

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.

How Many Layers In Classic Lasagna

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

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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.

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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

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.