Lasagna is one of the most loved comfort foods around the world. With layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta, this classic dish never fails to impress. It’s a perfect choice for family dinners, gatherings, or even meal prepping for the week.

In this recipe, we combine a flavorful meat sauce, a creamy cheese mixture, and lots of melty mozzarella to create the ultimate lasagna experience. Follow these easy steps and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 500g ground beef or pork (or a mix of both)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:

• 9 to 12 lasagna sheets (boiled or oven-ready)
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

• Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add chopped onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
• Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
• Add ground beef or pork. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
• Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Turn off heat and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Cheese Mixture

• In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
• Mix well until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

• Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
• In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom.
• Place a layer of lasagna sheets over the sauce.
• Spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the pasta.
• Add another layer of meat sauce and sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with mozzarella on top.

Step 4: Bake the Lasagna

• Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added flavor and color.
• Serve warm with garlic bread or a fresh green salad on the side.

Tips for the Best Lasagna

• Let the lasagna rest before cutting — it helps the layers set.
• You can prepare the meat sauce a day ahead for extra flavor.
• For a vegetarian option, replace the meat with sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.