The Best Hearty Italian Lasagna Recipe: Soul-Warming Comfort Food

Layers of rich, melted cheese and savory ground beef create a mouthwatering homemade Italian lasagna that promises pure comfort.

Pasta sheets nestle between robust tomato sauce and seasoned meat, offering a classic dish packed with flavor.

This traditional recipe brings the warmth of Italian kitchens directly to your dining table.

Each carefully crafted layer tells a story of culinary passion and home-cooked goodness.

Generations have cherished this hearty meal as a symbol of love and connection.

Families gather around steaming plates, sharing stories and enjoying every delicious bite.

You’ll find this lasagna irresistible and perfect for weekend dinners or special celebrations.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 9

Classic Italian Lasagna Ingredient Breakdown

• Ground Beef: Rich protein foundation that adds hearty flavor and meaty texture to the lasagna.
• Italian Sausage: Brings robust, spicy undertones and traditional Italian character to the sauce.
• Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic depth and enhances overall sauce complexity.
• Garlic: Delivers intense, pungent flavor that elevates the sauce's taste profile.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Creates the vibrant, tangy base for authentic Italian sauce.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds smooth consistency and rich tomato flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies sauce color and concentrates tomato flavor.
• Basil: Introduces fresh, herbal notes characteristic of Italian cuisine.
• Oregano: Contributes earthy, slightly bitter Mediterranean herb essence.
• Sugar: Balances tomato acidity and rounds out sauce flavor.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance overall taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and exciting spice dimension.

• Lasagna Noodles: Provides structural foundation and classic Italian pasta texture.
• Ricotta Cheese: Creates creamy, smooth filling with delicate flavor.
• Egg: Binds cheese mixture and adds richness.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty complexity to cheese layer.
• Parsley: Brings fresh, green herbal brightness.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers classic melty, stretchy cheese experience.

Tools to Make Classic Italian Lasagna Layers Just Right

• Large skillet: Perfect for browning meats and creating rich sauce.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering and baking lasagna.
• Mixing bowl: Needed for preparing cheese filling.
• Colander: Used for draining pasta and excess grease.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Sharp knife: Helpful for chopping onions and herbs.
• Aluminum foil: Used to cover lasagna during initial baking.

Building and Baking Your Classic Italian Lasagna

• Craft Savory Meat Base

Brown ground beef and sausage in a large skillet, blending with aromatic onions. Infuse with garlic, then incorporate tomato ingredients and classic Italian herbs. Let the sauce simmer and develop rich flavors for about 30 minutes.

• Prepare Noodle Foundation

If using traditional noodles, boil until perfectly tender. Gently lay them flat to prevent sticking and ensure smooth layering.

• Whip Up Creamy Cheese Blend

Mix ricotta with egg and Parmesan, seasoning with herbs and spices. Create a smooth, luxurious filling that will add incredible texture to your lasagna.

• Build Delicious Layers

Start by spreading a thin meat sauce layer in your baking dish. Alternate noodles, cheese mixture, and mozzarella in beautiful, appetizing layers. Repeat until dish is beautifully filled, ending with a generous cheese topping.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Cover with foil and bake at 375F. After initial baking, remove foil to allow cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece. Let lasagna rest briefly before serving to help layers set beautifully.

Helpful Tips to Adjust Your Lasagna to Taste

• Prepare the entire lasagna up to 24 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When ready to serve, bake directly from the cold dish, adding 10-15 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Wrap the lasagna securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. It stays delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Replace traditional ground beef and sausage with ground turkey or lean chicken for a lower-fat version. The dish remains just as flavorful and satisfying.
• Substitute meat sauce with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms. Add plant-based protein like lentils or crumbled tofu for extra substance and nutrition.
• Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure all other ingredients like tomato sauce are certified gluten-free. Check labels carefully to maintain the recipe's integrity while accommodating dietary needs.

Serving Classic Italian Lasagna for Big Gatherings

• Rustic Dinner Centerpiece: Place this hearty lasagna as the star of your family dinner table, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for everyone to enjoy together.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve with a robust red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, meaty flavors and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Fresh Side Salad Companion: Balance the lasagna's richness with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette, adding a refreshing contrast to the heavy main course.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer crusty garlic bread or Italian bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and complete the traditional Italian meal experience.

How to Save and Store Classic Italian Lasagna

• Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve as they meld together, making your next meal even more delicious.
• Wrap individual portions or the entire lasagna tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual slices in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, or restore the entire dish's crispy edges by baking in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of water to prevent drying out.
• Prepare the lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. This allows the ingredients to blend beautifully and saves time on busy cooking days. Simply remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and follow original instructions.

Hearty Italian Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Hearty layers of classic Italian lasagna blend rich beef ragù, creamy béchamel, and melted cheeses into a comforting culinary masterpiece. Pasta sheets nestled between robust flavors promise a delightful journey through traditional Italian cuisine you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Meat Sauce Preparation: Sizzle ground beef, sausage, and onion in a skillet until golden, draining excess fat. Incorporate garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer the vibrant sauce for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
2. Noodle Preparation: If using traditional noodles, boil until al dente, then arrange on a clean surface to prevent sticking. Oven-ready noodles can be used directly.
3. Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk ricotta with egg, Parmesan, parsley, and seasoning until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Lasagna Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer a thin sauce base in a baking dish, then methodically stack noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat this process three times, ensuring even distribution of ingredients. Crown the final layer with remaining sauce and mozzarella.
5. Baking Process: Shield lasagna with foil, bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
6. Serving Technique: Allow lasagna to rest 15-20 minutes, enabling layers to set and making clean, precise slicing possible. This pause helps maintain structural integrity and enhances flavor melding.

Notes

• Pat ricotta cheese with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a firmer, less runny texture.
• Add a pinch of fresh chopped basil or oregano between cheese layers to boost the herb profile and create more depth.
• If using traditional noodles, slightly undercook them during boiling since they’ll continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
• Assemble lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together and making meal preparation easier on serving day.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg