The Best Homemade Lasagna – Easy Recipes for Dinner

Table of Contents

• Why This Lasagna is the Best for Easy Recipes for Dinner
• The Secret to a Flavorful Meat Sauce
• How to Layer Your Lasagna Like a Pro
• Customizing Your Lasagna – Variations to Try
• Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers
• Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways

This homemade lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, packed with rich flavors and a creamy cheese blend. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and easy recipes for dinner, making it a go-to meal for families. Follow these tips for a foolproof lasagna that will impress every time.

Why This Lasagna is the Best for Easy Recipes for Dinner

Nothing beats a warm, cheesy, and flavorful lasagna when you’re looking for easy recipes for dinner. This dish has the perfect balance of a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, making every bite a delight. Clara from Clara Cooks brings you a tried-and-true recipe that guarantees satisfaction.

The Secret to a Flavorful Meat Sauce

The key to an unforgettable lasagna lies in the sauce. A combination of ground beef, Italian sausage, and classic Italian seasonings creates a depth of flavor that will elevate your dish. Simmering the sauce allows all the ingredients to meld together beautifully, making it ideal for those who love easy weeknight recipes.

How to Layer Your Lasagna Like a Pro

Layering lasagna properly ensures the perfect balance of sauce, noodles, and cheese. Start with a layer of meat sauce, followed by cooked lasagna noodles, then a generous spread of ricotta cheese mixture, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat this process, finishing with a golden layer of bubbly cheese on top. This method makes it an excellent dish for easy weeknight meals.

Customizing Your Lasagna – Variations to Try

Lasagna is a versatile dish that can be customized to fit different tastes and dietary needs. Want a healthier version? Try a low-carb lasagna by replacing noodles with zucchini slices. Need a vegetarian option? Swap out the meat for sautéed mushrooms and spinach. You can even add a twist by incorporating different cheeses like gouda or provolone.

Tips for Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Lasagna is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days or freeze for up to three months. When reheating, cover with foil and bake at 350°F until heated through, or microwave for a quick meal. This makes it a fantastic choice for meal prep.

Final Thoughts

With its rich flavors and comforting layers, this homemade lasagna is the perfect choice for easy recipes for dinner. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week, this dish will never disappoint. Try this recipe from Clara Cooks and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home!

The Best Homemade Lasagna – Easy Recipes for Dinner

This rich and cheesy homemade lasagna is perfect for easy recipes for dinner. Layered with seasoned ground beef, ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, it’s a crowd-pleaser for family dinners.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time1 hour hr

Total Time1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course: Pasta & Pizza

Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: easy low carb dinner recipes for two, easy recipes for dinner, Homemade Doughnut Recipe, Quick Weeknight Dinners, Rotisserie Chicken Dressing Casserole, vegan tea party food easy recipes, Vegan Tofu Recipes Dinners

Servings: 8 servings

Author: Clara

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Cheese Layer

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Assembling the Lasagna

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, sausage, and onion until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Mix well.
3. Add parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture

1. In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and Parmesan. Mix until smooth.

Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
5. Repeat layers twice, finishing with remaining mozzarella on top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, let the sauce simmer longer. You can also use oven-ready lasagna noodles to skip the boiling step.