Baked Lasagna Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Brown beef, onion, and garlic. Drain off fat.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
6. To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce.
8. Spread with one-half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
9. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices.
10. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
11. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
12. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
13. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
14. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
15. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Verdict and Serving Suggestions

This baked lasagna recipe is a classic and never fails to impress. The combination of meat sauce, cheese, and lasagna noodles is pure comfort food. Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. This recipe makes 12 servings, so it’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for leftovers throughout the week.