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.
