Lasagna Recipe

Cook the Lasagna Noodles

In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Carefully add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay the noodles flat on a clean kitchen towel.

Make the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, brown 1 pound of ground beef over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent. Stir in 24 oz of tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon of dried oregano, 1 tablespoon of dried basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine 15 oz of ricotta cheese, 1 large egg, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon of salt, 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper, and 0.25 cup of chopped fresh parsley. Mix well until smooth.

Layer the Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom. Place 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layering process, ending with a final layer of noodles topped with meat sauce.

Add Cheese Topping

Sprinkle 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer of meat sauce. Add fresh basil leaves on top if desired.

Bake the Lasagna

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, you can spray the foil with cooking spray). Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Rest Before Serving

Once baked, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This will help the layers set for easier serving.