Classic Baked Lasagna with Ricotta and Mozzarella

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A comforting Italian traditional baked lasagna layered with rich ricotta, mozzarella, and a savory meat tomato sauce, perfect for family dinners. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 95 minutes pairs sheets lasagna noodles, pound ground beef, tablespoons olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 sheets lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 pound ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until browned and no longer pink.
3. Step 3: Stir in 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Simmer the sauce uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
4. Step 4: While the sauce simmers, cook 12 lasagna noodles in boiling salted water for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a medium bowl, combine 15 ounces ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley until smooth.
6. Step 6: Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 noodles over the sauce, then spread half the ricotta mixture, sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and top with 1 cup meat sauce.
7. Step 7: Repeat the layering with 4 noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1 cup meat sauce. Top with the final 4 noodles, remaining meat sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
8. Step 8: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.