Homemade Lasagna Recipe

Make homemade lasagna with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and perfectly cooked pasta noodles. This easy lasagna recipe is ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or gatherings. Featuring ground beef, marinara sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and classic Italian seasoning, it’s a comforting oven-baked pasta dish that brings everyone to the table. Follow simple instructions to create a traditional lasagna that’s freezer-friendly and great for leftovers.

This classic homemade lasagna is rich, comforting, and layered with hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese filling, and melty mozzarella. It’s the perfect dish for gatherings, meal prep, or a cozy night in.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef (15–20% fat)
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth
• 3 cups (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

For the Cheese Sauce:

• 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese
• 15 oz reduced-fat ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (from the total 4 cups)

For Assembly:

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining from the 4 cups)

Instructions

1. Make the Meat Sauce

In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for about 5 minutes or until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.

Pour in the wine (or broth) and simmer for 2 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate. Add marinara sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, sugar, and parsley. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, egg, and parsley. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.

3. Cook the Noodles

Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Lasagna

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a deep 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer with 3 noodles, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering two more times for a total of 3 layers.

Insert toothpicks across the top to prevent foil from sticking to the cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

5. Finish and Serve

Remove foil and broil for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing for best results.

Tips

• Rest before serving: Letting the lasagna sit helps it set and makes slicing easier.
• Use high-quality marinara: It’s the base of your sauce, so use one with good flavor.
• Grate your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the meat: Use Italian sausage, ground turkey, or a mix of meats for different flavors.
• Vegetarian option: Replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or a mix of roasted vegetables.
• No cottage cheese? Substitute with more ricotta or even mascarpone for a richer taste.

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate, then bake as directed.

Can I freeze lasagna?
Absolutely. Freeze either baked or unbaked lasagna tightly wrapped for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating or baking.

What can I use instead of wine?
Beef broth is a great substitute that still adds depth to the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a fresh green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
• Pair with a glass of red wine like Chianti or Merlot.
• Add roasted vegetables on the side for extra nutrition.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Hearty and filling: Perfect comfort food with rich flavors.
• Make-ahead and freezer-friendly: Great for planning meals in advance.
• Crowd-pleaser: Ideal for family dinners, potlucks, and gatherings.

Let me know if you’d like this in a printable format or turned into a one-page PDF.

Homemade Lasagna Recipe

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef (15–20% fat)

• 1 medium onion, finely diced

• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth

• 3 cups (24 oz) marinara sauce

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/4 tsp dried thyme

• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

• For the Cheese Sauce:

• 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese

• 15 oz reduced-fat ricotta cheese

• 1 large egg

• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (from the total 4 cups)

• For Assembly:

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining from the 4 cups)

Directions

• Make the Meat Sauce
• In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and diced onion, cooking for about 5 minutes or until the meat is browned and the onion is tender. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute, until fragrant.
• Pour in the wine (or broth) and simmer for 2 minutes, allowing most of the liquid to evaporate. Add marinara sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, sugar, and parsley. Stir well, bring to a simmer, then cover and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Prepare the Cheese Mixture
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella, egg, and parsley. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
• Cook the Noodles
• Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and prevent sticking.
• Assemble the Lasagna
• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a deep 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom. Layer with 3 noodles, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella, and 1/2 of the cheese mixture. Repeat this layering two more times for a total of 3 layers.
• Insert toothpicks across the top to prevent foil from sticking to the cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• Finish and Serve
• Remove foil and broil for 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing for best results.