Name: World’s Best Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound sweet Italian sausage; 3/4 pound lean ground beef; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon dried basil; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds; Salt and pepper to taste; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes; 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste; 2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce; 1/2 cup water; 12 lasagna noodles, boiled or oven-ready; 15 oz ricotta cheese; 1 egg; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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If you’ve been hunting down the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe, the search ends right here. This legendary lasagna has been winning hearts (and appetites) for over two decades—and for good reason. With its rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta layers, and a golden, cheesy topping that stretches in the most satisfying way, this is the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe that defines classic comfort food.

Originally created by John Chandler, this layered pasta dish is still topping recipe charts with millions of views and reviews. Whether you’re making it for a holiday, a weekend dinner, or a freezer-friendly meal prep, this is the kind of hearty family meal that becomes part of your traditions.

Let’s dive in—because once you learn how to make the best lasagna ever, there’s no going back to the boxed stuff.

Single serving of homemade lasagna on a white plate with cheese and tomato sauce

Ingredients for the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe
How to Make the World’s Best Lasagna: Step-by-Step Guide
The Perfect Layering Order for Authentic Lasagna
Baking the World’s Best Lasagna
Serving Suggestions for the Best Lasagna Ever
Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
What People Are Saying About This Recipe
Final Thoughts

Ingredients for the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe

Before we start layering up this cheesy oven pasta masterpiece, let’s talk ingredients. This is a traditional Italian lasagna—simple, filling, and packed with flavor.

Meats

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
3/4 pound lean ground beef
(The mix of beef and Italian sausage gives this lasagna that signature richness.)

Aromatics and Seasonings

1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Tomato Sauce Base

1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/2 cup water

(This is where your deep, flavorful tomato-based meat sauce comes from.)

Lasagna Noodles

12 lasagna noodles, boiled or oven-ready

Cheese Layer

15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

You’re about to turn these into a glorious, three cheese lasagna that’s as indulgent as it is timeless.

How to Make the World’s Best Lasagna: Step-by-Step Guide

Even if you’re new to lasagna-making, don’t sweat it. This is a homemade lasagna recipe you can master. Here’s exactly how it goes down.

Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, brown the sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat. Drain the fat.

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Add sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley.

Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Boil the Noodles

Cook lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and lay them on wax paper or drizzle a little oil to prevent sticking.

(Or, go rogue and use oven-ready noodles. No judgment.)

Step 3: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. This will be your creamy middle layer.

Step 4: Time to Layer That Lasagna

This is where the magic happens. If you’re unsure about how to layer lasagna, here’s the exact order:

The Perfect Layering Order for Authentic Lasagna

A generous scoop of meat sauce on the bottom
A layer of noodles
Ricotta cheese mixture
Mozzarella
More meat sauce
Sprinkle of Parmesan

Repeat this until you run out, making sure you end with mozzarella and a final dusting of Parmesan on top.

Want even more layering ideas? Check out our creative lasagna options.

Baking the World’s Best Lasagna

Oven Temperature and Timing

Preheat your oven to 375°F
Cover with foil (don’t let it touch the cheese) and bake for 25 minutes
Uncover and bake for another 25 minutes
Let rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting

This helps everything set and makes slicing way easier. Trust me—you don’t want to rush this part.

Serving Suggestions for the Best Lasagna Ever

This classic comfort food pairs beautifully with a few easy sides to round out your pasta dinner ideas.

Homemade Italian bread
Creamy Italian sausage soup
Cheesy Italian sliders if you’re feeding a crowd

Add a little red wine, and you’ve got yourself a dinner worth remembering.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Tips

Yes, you can totally make this baked lasagna with ricotta ahead of time. It’s a game-changer for busy nights, dinner parties, or lazy Sundays.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Assemble the lasagna fully
Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days

Freezing Instructions

Use a foil baking dish if you’re planning to freeze
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil
Freeze for up to 3 months

Reheating Tips:

Thaw overnight in the fridge
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 30 minutes (foil on for the first 15 minutes)
Microwave works, but you’ll miss the crispy cheese top

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Too watery? Make sure your meat sauce simmers long enough and don’t overdo the ricotta.
Cheese not browning? Uncover and broil for the last few minutes.
Noodles slipping around? Let it rest longer before slicing—it needs that cool-down to hold together.

What People Are Saying About This Recipe

“Tastes like something straight from an Italian restaurant.”
“I’ve made this for birthdays, Christmas, and random Tuesdays—it never fails.”
“Even my picky eater went back for seconds. That never happens.”

This truly is the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s doable. It works every time, and the flavor payoff is next-level.

Collage of lasagna with plated slice, full baking dish, and close-up of cheesy layers

Lasagna recipe pin with plated slice of cheesy lasagna and full baked dish

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just figuring out how to feed yourself without takeout, this homemade lasagna recipe deserves a spot in your rotation.

Looking for a simpler version? Check out this quick lasagna method or try our weeknight-friendly Italian meatloaf dinner for another comforting option.

Make it once, and you’ll understand why people call this the best lasagna ever.

World’s Best Lasagna Recipe

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