Real Italian Lasagna
A classic layered dish with rich meat sauce and creamy béchamel. This italian-inspired pasta ready in about 85 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 550 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
- 1 lb lasagna noodles
- 1.5 lbs ground beef
- 8 oz Italian sausage
- 1 medium, diced onions
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1.5 lbs ricotta cheese
- 1 cup, grated parmesan cheese
- 2 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 12 lasagna sheets
- 1/2 cup, grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook 1 lb lasagna noodles in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.
- Step 2: In a large skillet, cook 1.5 lbs ground beef and 8 oz Italian sausage with 1 medium diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves over medium heat until browned and onions are softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 cups tomato sauce, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 10 minutes until bubbly.
- Step 4: For the béchamel: Melt 2 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Whisk in 2 tbsp flour, then gradually add 1/2 cup milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Add 1/4 cup milk, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, and 1/2 cup grated parmesan. Cook until creamy.
- Step 5: Layer 12 lasagna sheets in a 9x13-inch dish, alternating with meat sauce, ricotta mixed with 1 cup grated parmesan and 2 eggs, and béchamel. Top with remaining parmesan and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Real Italian Lasagna take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (40 min prep + 45 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 Real Italian 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 Real Italian 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 Real Italian 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 Real Italian 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
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 45-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
