Best Homemade Lasagna
Layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, and melted cheese create a comforting, indulgent lasagna that's the best way to enjoy Italian comfort food. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 70 minutes pairs lasagna noodles, ground beef, Italian sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 750 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz lasagna noodles
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz Italian sausage
- 1 (diced) onion
- 3 cloves (minced) garlic
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 cup (grated) Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 egg
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (shredded) mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh basil
- to taste black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- Step 2: In a skillet, cook beef, sausage, onion, and garlic over medium heat for 10 minutes until browned and fragrant. Add tomato sauce, paste, oregano, basil, and black pepper; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 3: In a bowl, mix Parmesan, milk, egg, ricotta, and 1/4 cup chopped basil until smooth. Set aside.
- Step 4: In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/3 noodles, 1/3 meat sauce, 1/3 ricotta mixture, and 1/3 mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with a top layer of noodles and sauce.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Homemade Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Best Homemade Lasagna?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep lasagna noodles from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Homemade Lasagna?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Homemade Lasagna for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Homemade Lasagna?
Italian pasta like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
