Lasagna is one of those meals that immediately makes the house feel cozy. It is warm, cheesy, filling, and perfect for feeding a hungry family without needing a table full of complicated side dishes.

This version keeps things simple with a hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and plenty of melted mozzarella. It tastes like a classic homemade lasagna should, but it is straightforward enough to make on an ordinary weeknight.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple, familiar ingredients
• Rich, cheesy, and filling
• Easy to assemble
• Great for feeding a family
• Leftovers taste even better the next day

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Ingredients

• Lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 2–3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Italian seasoning, to taste
• Dried basil, to taste
• Dried oregano, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Make the Meat Sauce

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook briefly, just until fragrant.
4. Drain any excess grease.
5. Add the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
6. Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes.

Make the Ricotta Filling

1. Add the ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to a bowl.
2. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.

Cook the Noodles

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the lasagna noodles until al dente according to the package directions.
3. Drain the noodles and set them aside.

Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of a baking dish.
3. Add a layer of lasagna noodles.
4. Spread some of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
5. Add another layer of meat sauce.
6. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
7. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients have been used.
8. Finish with sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella on top.

Bake

1. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
2. Bake for 25 minutes.
3. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling around the edges.
4. Let the lasagna rest for 15–20 minutes before slicing.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this lasagna with:

• Garlic bread
• A simple garden salad
• Roasted broccoli
• Green beans
• Caesar salad

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Tips for the Best Lasagna

• Let the meat sauce simmer so the flavors have time to come together.
• Do not overcook the noodles before assembling the lasagna.
• Cover the lasagna during the first part of baking so the cheese does not brown too quickly.
• Let it rest before cutting. This helps the layers stay together instead of sliding all over the plate.
• Add extra mozzarella on top if your family believes there is no such thing as too much cheese. They are correct.

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This easy homemade lasagna is warm, hearty, and exactly the kind of meal everyone is happy to see on the table. It is simple enough for family dinner but comforting enough to feel a little special.