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Classic Lasagna with Ricotta Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 67 reviews

Classic Lasagna with Ricotta is a comforting and hearty Italian-American dish featuring layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, tender lasagna noodles, and melty mozzarella cheese, baked to bubbly golden perfection. This recipe balances rich flavors with simple ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat Sauce

  • 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
  • 1 jar (24 oz) good-quality marinara sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Ricotta Mixture

  • 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or basil (or 1 tsp dried herbs)
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Other

  • 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (a blend of low-moisture whole-milk and fresh mozzarella recommended)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Create the Hearty Meat Sauce: In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage (if using), breaking it up as it cooks. Drain most of the fat, leaving a tablespoon or two for flavor. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the marinara sauce, stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat, and let it simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to marry the flavors.
  3. Whip Up the Creamy Ricotta Layer: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and homogeneous. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Your Noodles: If using regular lasagna noodles, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles for 4-5 minutes until very al dente but pliable. Drain and lay flat on parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking. If using oven-ready noodles, skip this step.
  5. Assemble the Layers: Spread about ¾ cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 noodles side by side over the sauce. Dollop half the ricotta mixture over the noodles and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded mozzarella over the ricotta. Spoon 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the cheese and spread evenly. Repeat the layering sequence: noodles, ricotta mixture, ½ cup mozzarella, 1 ½ cups meat sauce.
  6. The Grand Finale: For the top layer, place the last 3 noodles over the sauce. Spread the remaining meat sauce evenly atop the noodles to avoid dry edges. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup (or more) of shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the top to create a bubbly golden crust.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and cook the noodles without drying out. Bake for 25 minutes. Carefully remove the foil and watch for steam, then return the uncovered dish to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top and sauce is bubbling around the edges.
  8. Rest Before Serving: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest on the stovetop or counter for 10-15 minutes. This important step allows the layers to set, resulting in clean slices and preventing the lasagna from falling apart.

Notes

  • Using half Italian sausage adds a wonderful depth of flavor, but ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for a lighter option.
  • For a no-boil approach, use oven-ready noodles and ensure extra sauce to hydrate the noodles during baking.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers better flavor and texture than pre-grated varieties.
  • Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking is crucial for easier slicing and serving.
  • If you prefer, blend whole-milk cottage cheese to substitute ricotta.

Keywords: lasagna, ricotta lasagna, classic lasagna, baked pasta, Italian comfort food, homemade lasagna

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/classic-lasagna-with-ricotta-recipe/