This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
A Classic Lasagna recipe that everyone should have in their go-to recipe collection!
Today’s Classic Lasagna recipe is from my husband Jack’s recipe collection! It’s a delicious adaptation that marries an old family lasagna recipe with a version that he used to make many years ago during his food service career. This is a wonderful, classic lasagna recipe – nothing too fancy, just layers of pasta, meat sauce, a ricotta cheese mixture, and mozzarella – and it’s one that everyone should have in their own recipe collection!
Jack and I are both ‘old-school’ when it comes to making lasagna – we both prefer using the traditional dry ribbon noodles that need to be partially cooked before assembling all of the layers of the dish! While we agree that you can’t beat the convenience of the pre-cooked lasagna noodles (or in food service, the frozen pasta sheets) – we both think that the best tasting lasagna with the best texture comes from using the dry pasta. (You may, of course, use the pre-cooked noodles if you prefer!)
We also use a mix of meats in our sauce – but if you’d prefer to keep things more simple, just use all ground beef or whatever combination of meats you like best. Lasagna is a very forgiving dish – so you can adjust the meats, seasonings and even the proportion of cheeses and sauce used in each layer of this wonderful dish to make it exactly how your family likes it!
You may like these other lasagna recipes:
- White Vegetable Lasagna
- Meatball Lasagna
- Chicken Lasagna with Pesto Cream Sauce
- White Lasagna Chicken Rollups
- Mexican Lasagna with White Sauce
We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @afamilyfeast or hashtag #afamilyfeast so we can see your creations!
Classic Lasagna
Rather than using the mix ground beef and sausage listed in this recipe, you can use whatever kind of meat your family enjoys – just plan for about two pounds total.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 pound box of dry lasagna noodles (you will need 16 noodles. A one pound box contains 20 noodles so you will have four extra. Usually a few get broken so this usually works out)
For the Meat Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 pound lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage meat (hot or sweet your choice)
- 1 28–ounce canned crushed tomatoes (we use Cento)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dry oregano
- 2 tablespoons dry basil or 4 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- Pinch red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint
For the cheese mixture
- Ricotta cheese that was strained in the first step
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
Other ingredients you’ll need
- 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (see recipe here)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella sliced into 12 slices
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Line a strainer with cheese cloth and place over a bowl. Place the ricotta in cheesecloth lined strainer and cover the top with more cheesecloth. Then place a heavy object over the top to press the ricotta. This process will remove some of the liquid from the ricotta cheese.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to box directions but keep them slightly undercooked (cook approximately 7-8 minutes). They should still have a good bite to them. Rinse and cool. Keep moist while you prepare the rest of the dish.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and cook the onions for about two minutes over medium high heat. Add the garlic and cook one more minute. Add the meat, stir and cook until there is no pink. Depending on the fat content of the meat you are using, you may need to drain off some liquid. There should only be a few tablespoons of liquid after cooking the meat. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes and mint. Reduce to medium and simmer ten minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix drained ricotta, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, beaten eggs, 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper and the chopped parsley. Mix to combine and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and put oven rack in center of oven.
- In a 9X13X3 glass baking dish, ladle in one cup of tomato sauce into the bottom and lay four lasagna noodles overlapping slightly. Add one third of these cheese mixture, one third of the meat mixture and half of the sliced fresh mozzarella. (The sliced mozzarella will not cover the whole pan, just spread as evenly as possible). Repeat with four more noodles, one third of cheese mixture, one third of meat mixture and the other half of sliced fresh mozzarella. Cover with four more noodles and top with remaining cheese mixture, remaining meat mixture and 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese. Finish with four more noodles, 1 ½ cups tomato sauce, 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Lay a piece of parchment paper over top and then cover tightly with foil. Cover a sheet pan with foil and place a rack in foiled pan. Now place the covered lasagna on the rack and place in the oven. The rack is to circulate heat and the lower pan will catch any drips.
- Bake for one hour covered. Remove foil and parchment and cook uncovered for 30 more minutes. Let rest 15-30 minutes before cutting.
- Cut 3X4 for 12 pieces.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
I just finished making this. I followed the directions precisely. I needed to make two lasagnas for a dinner at my church. So I doubled the recipe and here is what happened: I did not have enough meat mix OR sauce mix and WAY too much ricotta mixture. Maybe I didn’t use enough ricotta and that’s fine, but explain not having enough meat. One star
Hi Tracy – I’m guessing your meat and sauce layers were more heavy-handed than ours. That’s the only explanation I have without being in the kitchen with you. We made this recipe ourselves just a few weeks ago and didn’t run out.
My family and I have been using this recipe for about a year now..and we think it is amazing!! I use the meat sauce part for spaghetti every time I make it..and the family loves it!! Thank you so much for sharing this!
You’re very welcome Tammy – so glad you are enjoying the lasagna! Thanks for taking the time to write to us today.
Any tipa on making this a day ahead? Should I Bake it the day before or just assemble and bake the day off? Dont want to end up with dry lasagna.
Thank you!
By the way I have made this many times before and it is delicious! Thank you for a great recipe!
Tamara
I see no reason why you couldn’t completely assemble the day before then bake when ready. I would just let it sit out for an hour to take the chill out before baking.
Good luck,
Jack
It would be nice to know what temperature to set the oven too
See Step 5
I’m trying this recipe for tonight dinner I’m so exited ! I follow every step 🙂 I can’t wait to try it !
Hope you love the lasagna Mary!
May this Lasagna be assembled the day before, refrigerated and then cooked the next day.
Hi Joan – Yes, you can do that. I’d suggest taking the lasagna out of the refrigerator while the oven heats up. Also, the baking time may be longer if the lasagna is still cold from the refrigerator.
I made this delicious lasagna but I had some issues.
The amount of ricotta recommended for this recipe ended up being way too much.
I used the pan that is recommended and was unable to fit more than two layers. The quantity of the sauce was perfect for what I could fit in the pan.
Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback Nate!
Any chance of getting a portion size for 1 person?
Thanks, Kerrie
Hi Kerrie – I’m not sure how exactly to answer your question…this is made in a 9×13-inch pan and you can cut it into 8-12 squares depending on how hungry you are. If, by “size” you are looking for a weight or cup measurement – I’d have to do that the next time we make this recipe, but that isn’t something we typically do when listing the number of portions.
Hello from Philippines! Just want to let you know that I have made your lasagna recipe and it’s really good. We love it and will definitely cook it again. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome Jaz – glad you enjoyed it!
What can I substitute for the Sausage Meat as I don’t eat Pork, would love to make this recipe but am not sure about the sausage?
Hi Farzana – You can just use ground beef and adjust/increase the seasonings.