If you have ever dreamed of a lasagna recipe that perfectly balances creamy, melty, and savory flavors, then the Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe is your dream come true. This dish combines ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses in harmonious layers alongside rich meat sauce and tender noodles, resulting in a truly comforting Italian-American classic. Every bite bursts with cheesy goodness and a touch of herb-infused warmth, making it a crowd-pleaser whether you’re cooking for family weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Trust me, once you try this Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe, it will quickly become a beloved staple in your kitchen too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is what makes this Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe a standout. Each item plays a crucial role in bringing vibrant flavors, creamy textures, and that perfect golden finish you crave in every slice.
- Lasagna noodles (9 uncooked): The sturdy foundation that holds all the delicious layers together.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle richness and helps brown the meat beautifully.
- Ground beef or Italian sausage (1 pound): Provides meaty flavor and hearty texture essential to the sauce.
- Small onion (1, diced): Offers sweetness and depth when sautéed with the meat.
- Garlic cloves (3, minced): Infuses aromatic warmth that wakes up the sauce.
- Marinara or pasta sauce (24 ounces): The saucy backbone brimming with tomatoey goodness and seasonings.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Accentuates all other flavors perfectly.
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick and complexity.
- Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon): Blends savory herbs like oregano and basil for authentic Italian flair.
- Ricotta cheese (15 ounces): Brings creamy softness that melts into every mouthful.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ricotta mixture to create a luscious filling.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (2 cups): The melty, stretchy star cheese for that perfect bite.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (1 cup, divided): Adds a nutty, sharp finish and golden crust.
- Chopped parsley (optional): Injects fresh green color and herbaceous brightness for garnish.
How to Make Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Noodles and Preheat
Start off by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your lasagna noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain them carefully to prevent sticking, then lay them flat on a baking sheet—this little trick keeps your layers neat and prevents the noodles from folding over when assembling later.
Step 2: Cook the Meat Sauce
In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat, then add your ground beef or Italian sausage along with the diced onion. Cook until the meat is browned and the onion turns soft and translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning and cook everything for another minute to awaken those flavors. Finally, stir in the marinara sauce, lowering the heat to let it simmer gently for 5 minutes, allowing all those ingredients to mingle into a rich, fragrant sauce base.
Step 3: Mix the Cheese Filling
While the sauce simmers, grab a medium bowl to combine the ricotta cheese with the egg until it’s smooth and creamy. This mixture will be your luscious, cheesy layer that contrasts beautifully against the zesty meat sauce. Stir in half of the Parmesan cheese now, saving the rest for topping your lasagna with that irresistible golden crust.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Now for the fun part: layering! Spread a thin layer of your meat sauce on the bottom of the greased baking dish. Place three noodles evenly over the sauce, then spread one-third of your ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle with one-third of the shredded mozzarella, then spoon over more meat sauce. Repeat this pattern two more times, ensuring you evenly distribute each component for perfect flavor throughout. Finish the lasagna with a generous layer of the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan on top.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Cover the baking dish with foil to keep moisture in and bake for 25 minutes, which allows the flavors to meld and the cheese to soften. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes so the top becomes golden and bubbly—the hallmark of an irresistible lasagna. Once done, let the dish rest for 10 minutes before slicing; this helps it set for clean cuts and preserves all those luscious layers.
How to Serve Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a lovely pop of color and herbal brightness that contrasts perfectly with the richness of the lasagna’s cheeses and meat sauce. It also freshens every bite and creates that inviting, home-cooked look you want on the table.
Side Dishes
Classic sides like a crisp Caesar salad or garlic buttered bread complement the lasagna’s richness beautifully by adding crunch and freshness. Roasted vegetables or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette also balance the meal with a light, refreshing twist.
Creative Ways to Present
For an extra-special dinner, serve each slice of this Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe on warm plates with a drizzle of extra marinara sauce and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. You can also turn leftovers into individual portions by baking them in small ramekins topped with fresh herbs, making every serving feel like a personalized treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This lasagna keeps wonderfully for up to 4 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers even tastier. Just be sure to cover it well to retain moisture and prevent the noodles from drying out.
Freezing
If you want to enjoy your Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe later, it freezes beautifully. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to avoid freezer burn, then store it for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, covered loosely with foil to keep the edges from crisping too much before the middle heats through. You can also microwave single portions, but baking preserves that fresh-from-the-oven texture and gooey cheese melt.
FAQs
Can I use other types of cheese in this Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe?
Absolutely! While ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan are classic choices, feel free to experiment with fontina, provolone, or even a touch of goat cheese for different flavor dimensions. Just maintain a balance so no cheese overpowers the others.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply swap the ground beef or Italian sausage for your favorite vegetarian meat substitute or add sautéed mushrooms and spinach to keep the hearty texture without meat.
Do I need to boil the noodles before assembling?
For this recipe, yes. Cooking the noodles until al dente helps prevent any sogginess and makes layering easier. However, some no-boil noodles can be used if you adjust moisture levels in your sauce.
Can I prepare the lasagna a day ahead?
Definitely. Assemble the lasagna, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. Bake it directly from the fridge; you may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
What’s the best way to get a golden bubbly top?
Removing the foil for the last 15 minutes of baking allows the cheese to brown and bubble beautifully. You can also broil it for 1–2 minutes at the end, but watch closely to prevent burning.
Final Thoughts
Making the Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe at home is truly a joy — from the welcoming aroma filling your kitchen to the comforting layers of cheesy, saucy goodness on your plate. It’s a dish that brings people together, evokes warmth, and satisfies those hearty cravings like no other. So, roll up your sleeves and give this recipe a whirl; I promise it will become one of your go-to favorites for special meals or whenever you need a cheesy hug in food form.
Print
Famous Three Cheese Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Famous Three Cheese Lasagna is a comforting Italian-American classic featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, savory meat sauce, and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to golden bubbly perfection, this dish is perfect for family dinners or special occasions, delivering rich flavors and satisfying textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Lasagna and Sauce
- 9 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese Mixture
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain them and lay flat on a baking sheet to avoid sticking.
- Make Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking until the meat is browned and onions are softened, about 6–8 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, cooking for an additional minute. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese and the egg until smooth. Mix in half of the grated Parmesan cheese, setting aside the rest for topping.
- Assemble Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, sprinkle one-third of the shredded mozzarella cheese, then spoon over more meat sauce. Repeat this layering two more times, finishing with the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the assembled lasagna with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes to achieve a golden, bubbly top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes after baking to set, then slice and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or a vegetarian meat substitute to adjust the protein source.
- For extra creaminess, add a layer of béchamel or white sauce between the layers.
- Use no-boil noodles to save prep time, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest before cutting helps keep the layers intact for cleaner slices.
