Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- Lasagna noodles (either pre-cooked or no-boil)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups marinara sauce (or your favorite tomato sauce)
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet or pan, cook the ground beef (or sausage) over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and crushed tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. Simmer for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
- Spread a portion of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and a bit of Parmesan cheese.
- Repeat layers (meat sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Rest:
- Let the lasagna cool for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier.