Hey, Kitchies! 🍽️✨ If you love layers of rich, meaty sauce, creamy cheese, and perfectly baked pasta, this Classic Beef Lasagna is about to become your new favorite dish. It’s hearty, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying, with a slow-simmered meat sauce that brings out deep, bold flavors.
The first time I made this lasagna, my family couldn’t believe it wasn’t from a fancy Italian restaurant. My husband took one bite and said, “This is the best lasagna I’ve ever had!”—and honestly, that’s all I needed to hear. Now, it’s our go-to for Sunday dinners, special occasions, and anytime we need a little homemade comfort.
What makes this lasagna truly special is the perfect balance of flavors and textures—a savory beef and tomato sauce, creamy ricotta and mozzarella, and perfectly cooked tender pasta layers. It’s classic, traditional, and absolutely irresistible.
Why This Classic Beef Lasagna is So Good
✔️ Rich, Meaty Sauce – Slow-simmered for deep, bold flavors.
✔️ Ultra Creamy & Cheesy – Layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
✔️ Perfectly Tender Pasta – No mushy noodles here!
✔️ Great for Meal Prep – Make it ahead and enjoy all week!
✔️ Freezer-Friendly – Make one now, freeze one for later.
Cuisine: Italian
Tips for the Best Classic Beef Lasagna
🧀 Use Freshly Grated Cheese – It melts better than pre-shredded.
🍅 Simmer the Sauce – The longer it cooks, the richer it tastes!
🍝 No-Boil Noodles? Add extra sauce so they soften properly.
🛑 Let It Rest Before Slicing – This helps it hold together!
🔥 Want Extra Crispy Edges? Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end.
Substitutions and Variations
🍗 Make it Lighter: Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
🧀 Go Extra Cheesy: Add a layer of provolone or burrata for extra creaminess.
🌶 Spice It Up: Use hot Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
🥬 Add Veggies: Spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms make it heartier!
Make a Healthier Version
✅ Swap Beef for Turkey – Leaner but still flavorful.
✅ Use Whole Wheat Noodles – Adds fiber and nutrients.
✅ Reduce Cheese – Use part-skim ricotta and mozzarella.
✅ Go Low-Carb – Swap noodles for zucchini slices or eggplant.
And there you have it!
A Classic Beef Lasagna that’s rich, cheesy, and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re making it for a Sunday dinner, meal prep, or freezing for later, this recipe will always deliver big, bold flavors and cozy comfort.
🍽️ Try it and let me know how it turns out! 🇮🇹✨
Categories: Dinner, Italian, Comfort Food, Make-Ahead Meals
Tags: lasagna, beef lasagna, Italian food, baked pasta, cheesy recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
2. How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
3. Can I freeze lasagna?
Absolutely! Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
4. Can I use cottage cheese instead of ricotta?
Yes! Cottage cheese is a great substitute—just blend it for a smoother texture.
5. What’s the best way to reheat lasagna?
Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or microwave in 1-minute intervals.
6. Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Swap beef for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini.
7. Why is my lasagna watery?
Let it rest before slicing to allow the layers to set, and avoid overloading with sauce.
Who’s ready to make the best lasagna ever? 🇮🇹🔥 Let’s get cooking! 🍝
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Classic Beef Lasagna
Description
If you love layers of rich, meaty sauce, creamy cheese, and perfectly baked pasta, this Classic Beef Lasagna is about to become your new favorite dish. It’s hearty, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying, with a slow-simmered meat sauce that brings out deep, bold flavors.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 1 tsp sugar (balances acidity)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Salt & pepper to taste
For the Cheese Layer:
- 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried parsley (or fresh, chopped)
For the Lasagna Layers:
- 12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (for topping)
Instructions
Make the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned.
- Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, then stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, then add sugar, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and parsley until smooth.
3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Boil lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
- Spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Layer 4 noodles over the sauce.
- Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle ½ cup mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
- Repeat layers (sauce → noodles → ricotta → mozzarella) 2 more times.
- Top with the final layer of noodles, the remaining sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle extra Parmesan on top for a golden crust.
5. Bake & Serve:
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before slicing (this helps it hold its shape).
- Serve hot and enjoy with garlic bread and a fresh salad!
