Name: Homemade Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef; 1 lb ground pork; 1 onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 28 oz crushed tomatoes; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp oregano; Salt and pepper to taste; Olive oil; 15 oz ricotta cheese; 1 egg; ½ cup grated Parmesan; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 12 lasagna noodles (homemade or store-bought); 3 cups shredded mozzarella; Extra Parmesan for topping

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If there’s one dish that screams comfort and togetherness, it’s a homemade lasagna recipe. This isn’t one of those quick, half-baked attempts tossed together with jarred sauces and store-bought shortcuts. Nope. This is an authentic Italian lasagna made from scratch, featuring a slow-cooked meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and layers of tender pasta baked to golden perfection.

I know what you might be thinking: “Lasagna? That sounds complicated and time-consuming!” But here’s the thing—you’ll be surprised how straightforward this easy lasagna recipe really is. Trust me, even if you’re a beginner or juggling a busy schedule, this step-by-step guide will have you serving up a classic homemade lasagna that’s hot, gooey, and downright irresistible.

Imagine pulling a bubbling, golden-brown tray from the oven, cheese stretching with every cut, and flavors so rich they practically hug your taste buds. That’s the magic we’re going for here. So, roll up your sleeves—let’s get cooking!

What’s In Homemade Lasagna? Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s break down the essentials that make this traditional lasagna so unforgettable. Grouping ingredients by purpose makes prep and shopping a breeze:

For the Meat Sauce:

Ground beef and pork lasagna mix (my favorite combo for juicy, flavorful meat)
Crushed tomatoes or homemade tomato pasta sauce
Garlic, onions, fresh herbs like basil and oregano
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Olive oil and salt

This slow-simmered, homemade meat sauce for lasagna is the heart of your dish, rich with layers of flavor from the beef-pork blend and fresh aromatics.

For the Ricotta Cheese Filling:

Ricotta cheese (the creamy star of the filling)
Egg to bind everything together
Fresh parsley or basil, finely chopped
Grated Parmesan cheese for that extra kick of umami

This ricotta cheese filling for lasagna makes each bite silky and smooth, perfectly balancing the savory meat sauce.

For Assembling the Dish:

Homemade lasagna noodles (you can also use store-bought, but I’ll show you how to make lasagna noodles from scratch!)
Best lasagna cheese blend: mozzarella for meltiness and Parmesan for a salty finish
A touch of butter or oil to prevent sticking

If you’re watching calories or avoiding gluten, no worries—there are plenty of low-calorie lasagna options and gluten-free lasagna alternatives to try.

How Long Does It Take To Make Homemade lasagna recipe?

Most of your time is hands-off, so don’t worry about spending all day in the kitchen.

Prep time: Around 15-20 minutes to chop, mix, and get things ready
Cooking time: Slow-cook your meat sauce for at least 45 minutes for deep flavor, but it can go longer if you have the time
Baking time: About 40-45 minutes in the oven at 375°F (190°C), covered then uncovered for a golden top

The beauty here is you can multitask: prep the ricotta filling while the sauce simmers, boil noodles as the sauce thickens.

How to make Homemade lasagna recipe

1. Make the Meat Sauce

Ready for the main event? Here’s how to nail your classic homemade lasagna from scratch, step by step.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pan. Add your ground beef and pork mix, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, then drain any excess fat—this keeps your lasagna from getting greasy.

Add finely diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant. Pour in crushed tomatoes or your homemade tomato pasta sauce, sprinkle in salt, pepper, fresh basil, oregano, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like some heat.

Simmer this slow-cooked meat sauce on low for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer, the better—this is what gives you that rich, authentic Italian flavor.

2. Prepare the Ricotta Cheese Filling

While your sauce is bubbling away, mix ricotta cheese with one beaten egg, chopped parsley, and a generous handful of grated Parmesan. Stir until smooth and creamy. This mixture keeps your layers luscious and adds that classic Italian creaminess.

3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles

If you’re feeling ambitious, here’s how to make lasagna noodles from scratch: roll out fresh pasta dough thinly, cut into sheets, and boil for 1-2 minutes until tender but firm. If store-bought is your jam, look for no-boil noodles or pre-cooked ones for convenience.

Drain and lay flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Lasagna Layers

Grab a baking dish and spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer with noodles, then dollops of ricotta filling, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and more meat sauce. Repeat the layering—noodles, ricotta, sauce, mozzarella—until you run out of ingredients, finishing with a thick blanket of mozzarella and a dusting of Parmesan on top.

This layering technique for lasagna helps balance the flavors and textures, so every bite has that perfect cheese and meat lasagna harmony.

5. Bake Your Lasagna

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let it rest for 10-15 minutes before serving—that’s when the flavors really settle, and slicing gets easier.

Golden bubbly homemade lasagna baked in a white ceramic dish, topped with fresh basil leaves and melted mozzarella cheese.

What is The Best Meat For Lasagna?

Choosing your meat sets the tone. Ground beef is classic, offering rich, familiar flavor. Pork adds juiciness and a little sweetness. Italian sausage brings spice and depth. For lighter takes, turkey or chicken works well, though you’ll miss some of that hearty punch.

My personal favorite? A mix of ground beef and pork—it hits that perfect balance of flavor and texture in the homemade meat sauce for lasagna. Slow-cooking this mix brings out the best in your sauce.

Other Baked Pasta Recipes For You

If you’re loving this baked pasta vibe, check out these other recipes that bring the same cozy goodness to your table:

Easy Baked Ziti — a quick favorite for busy nights
Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe — creamy and satisfying
White Cheese Chicken Lasagna — a lighter twist on the classic
Creamy Crack Chicken Lasagna with Bacon and Ranch — for when you want to indulge
The Best Stuffed Pasta Shells — perfect bite-sized pasta pockets

For more inspiration, dive into these amazing dishes on Virile Recipes, like the Italian meatloaf recipe — an easy Italian weeknight dinner, or bake up some fresh homemade Italian bread to serve alongside your lasagna.

Collage of homemade lasagna photos showing bubbly golden cheese and fresh basil in a baking dish, with text overlay “Homemade Lasagna Recipe.”

Close-up of a cheesy homemade lasagna slice lifted from a baking dish, showing stringy mozzarella and fresh basil with text overlay “Homemade Lasagna Recipe.”

Notes and Tips

Drain excess fat from meat to avoid a greasy lasagna.
Prepare the meat sauce ahead to save time on assembly day.
Keep an eye on your oven; baking times can vary depending on the dish size and oven type.
For variations, try swapping in ground turkey or a vegetarian lasagna recipe.
Leftover lasagna is great reheated the next day or frozen for a future meal—just slice, cover, and warm gently.

Nutrition Information

Approximate per serving:

Calories: 450
Carbs: 30g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 20g

Adjust ingredients or portion sizes if you want lighter or lower-calorie versions.

Hungry for more Italian flavors? Don’t miss these top picks from Virile Recipes:

Italian shrimp recipe — Shrimp Capri made easy
Italian sliders recipe — Perfect hot sub sliders
Creamy Parmesan Italian sausage soup — Hearty soup for cozy nights
Italian meatloaf recipe — Your new go-to easy Italian weeknight dinner
Homemade Italian bread recipe — Fresh bread to soak up every last drop of sauce

There you go — your full guide to making a homemade lasagna recipe that’s classic, approachable, and packed with rich Italian flavors. I can’t wait for you to try it and bring that comforting Italian family dinner vibe to your table.

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Homemade Lasagna Recipe

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