⭐ Classic Beef Lasagna
Ingredients (8 servings)
For the Meat Sauce
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1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, or a mix)
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1 small onion, diced
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3–4 garlic cloves, minced
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1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
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1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
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2 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tsp sugar (optional; balances acidity)
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1–2 tsp Italian seasoning
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1 tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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2–3 tbsp fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Cheese Layer
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15 oz ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
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1 large egg
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1–2 tbsp chopped parsley
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Pinch of salt & pepper
Other
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9–12 lasagna noodles (regular boiled or no-boil)
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2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Make the Meat Sauce
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In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with onion until no longer pink.
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Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
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Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, seasonings, and herbs.
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Simmer 20–30 minutes (longer is even better).
2. Mix the Cheese Filling
In a bowl, combine:
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Ricotta
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Egg
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Parmesan
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Parsley
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Salt & pepper
Mix until smooth.
3. Cook the Noodles (if using regular)
Boil according to package, drain, and lay flat on parchment to prevent sticking.
4. Assemble the Lasagna
Use a 9×13 baking dish:
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Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
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Add a layer of noodles.
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Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture.
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Add ⅓ of the mozzarella.
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Add ¼ of the sauce.
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Repeat for three layers.
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Finish with sauce + extra mozzarella on top.
5. Bake
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Cover with foil (tent it so cheese doesn’t stick)
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes
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Remove foil and bake 20 more minutes until bubbling
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Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing
Optional Add-Ins
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Spinach (fresh or frozen, squeezed dry)
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Mushrooms sautéed
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Italian sausage instead of beef
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Extra herbs like basil and oregano
If you want, I can also share:
✅ Vegetarian spinach lasagna
✅ White chicken lasagna
✅ Extra-creamy three-cheese lasagna
Just tell me!
