Classic Lasagna Recipe with Homemade Pasta

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Mmmm, lasagna is a comforting classic perfect for a family dinner or special occasion. This dang delicious recipe features a rich and flavorful meat sauce, creamy layers of blended cottage cheese (or ricotta), and melted mozzarella. You can even take it up a notch with homemade pasta, but store-bought noodles work beautifully too!

Ingredients for Classic Lasagna Recipe

• 2 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 cup diced onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (5.5 oz) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (or 2 tbsp red wine vinegar)
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)

Pasta

• One batch homemade pasta recipe (scroll down for mine!)
  OR
• 1 lb box of lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions
• 2 cups cottage cheese, blended until smooth (or ricotta)
• 1 lb shredded mozzarella cheese

How to Make Classic Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
2. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (or vinegar), Worcestershire sauce, sugar, basil, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 2: Prepare the Pasta

• If using store-bought lasagna noodles, cook them according to the package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a sheet of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• For homemade pasta, follow your preferred recipe or check out my simple pasta dough instructions linked here!

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom.
3. Layer in this order:
   • Pasta sheets (or noodles)
   • A layer of meat sauce
   • A layer of blended cottage cheese (or ricotta)
   • A sprinkle of shredded mozzarella
4. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella on top.

Step 4: Bake

1. Cover the dish with foil, ensuring the foil doesn’t touch the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
2. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
3. Let the lasagna rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Recipe Card for Classic Lasagna Recipe

Related Resources

Easy Homemade Pasta

Easy Weeknight Meatloaf