Description
A comforting Italian classic with layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. This hearty, flavorful dish is customizable and perfect for family meals or gatherings.
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles, 1 lb / 12-16 sheets
Ground Beef or Sausage, 1–1 ½ lbs
Marinara or Spaghetti Sauce, 28–32 oz
Olive Oil, 1 tbsp
Onion (Diced), 1
Garlic, Minced, 1–2 cloves
Italian Seasoning, 1 tsp
Carrots (Diced), 1
Celery (Diced), 1 stalk
Butter, 4 tbsp
Flour, 1/4 cup
Milk, 2 cups
Parmesan Cheese, grated, 1 cup
Salt, to taste
Black Pepper, to taste
Ricotta Cheese, 15 oz
Egg, 1
Parmesan Cheese, grated, 1/2 cup (for cheese layer)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
Boil lasagna noodles if not using no-boil sheets
Sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and celery in olive oil until softened
Add ground beef or sausage and cook until browned
Stir in marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and salt/pepper; simmer for 1 hour
Melt butter, whisk in flour to make a roux, then gradually add milk and cook into a smooth béchamel
Stir in 1 cup Parmesan and season with salt/pepper
In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, and 1/2 cup Parmesan
Assemble lasagna in layers: noodle, meat sauce, béchamel, ricotta mixture; repeat
Top with final layers of meat sauce and béchamel
Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and bubbly
Notes
Substitute ground beef with 1 lb cooked lentils for a meat-free option
Use no-boil noodles to skip boiling step
Customize with spinach, mushrooms, or eggplant for added variety
Let sit for 5–10 minutes before slicing for cleaner layers
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 120
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 lasagna portion
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 120mg