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Ultimate Guide to Perfect Homemade Lasagna


  • Author: Jessica

Ingredients

Scale
  • For the Sauce:
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • 28 ounces canned whole tomatoes, crushed
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme)
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Ricotta Mixture:
    • 15 ounces ricotta cheese
    • 1 large egg, beaten
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
  • For the Layers:
    • 12 lasagna noodles (traditional or no-boil)
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
    • Optional: ½ cup grated Parmesan for topping

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce:
    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
    • Sauté garlic and onion until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
    • Let the sauce simmer for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavors.
  2. Make the Ricotta Mixture:
    • In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and fresh herbs.
    • Stir until smooth and well combined.
  3. Cook the Noodles (if using traditional):
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  4. Assemble the Lasagna:
    • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
    • Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
    • Place a layer of noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
    • Spread a layer of ricotta mixture over the noodles, then a layer of sauce, and sprinkle with mozzarella.
    • Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
  5. Bake:
    • Cover the dish with aluminum foil (spray with nonstick spray to avoid sticking).
    • Bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  6. Rest and Serve:
    • Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set for clean cuts.

Notes

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cooking Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Calories: 420 kcal per serving | Servings: 8