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A freshly baked lasagna with bubbling cheese and rich tomato sauce

Proven way to grow 5-Star LasagnaLasagna

This recipe provides a proven method to create a delicious 5-star lasagna, ensuring rich flavors and perfectly layered goodness with every bite.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Sauce
  • 1 lb Ground Beef
  • 1 medium Onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
  • 6 oz Tomato Paste
  • 0.5 cup Water
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 1.5 tsp Dried Basil
  • 0.5 tsp Fennel Seeds
  • 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
Cheese Mixture
  • 15 oz Ricotta Cheese
  • 1 large Egg
  • 0.5 cup Parsley, fresh
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.125 tsp Black Pepper
Other
  • 12 Lasagna Noodles oven-ready
  • 16 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook ground beef, onion, and garlic until beef is browned; drain fat. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  3. Bring sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.
  5. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish; top with 3 lasagna noodles.
Assembly
  1. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then layer with 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of Parmesan.
  2. Repeat layers: meat sauce, noodles, remaining ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Finish with a final layer of noodles, then remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
  3. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
Baking
  1. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
  2. Let the lasagna stand for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

For best results, let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes after baking before slicing to allow the layers to set and prevent it from falling apart. You can also prepare the meat sauce a day in advance to save time on the day of cooking.