The Ultimate Comfort Lasagna

Learn how to make lasagna with my easy ricotta recipe! Layers of flavour make this oven-baked lasagna a guaranteed family favourite. Get ready for pure comfort!

June 8, 2025
By Marcus O’Neill.

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Alright, let's dive into the delicious world of lasagna! ever find yourself craving something comforting and utterly satisfying? then stick around, because we're tackling how to make lasagna that'll knock your socks off.

It's proper lush, this one!

Lasagna: A Slice of Italian Heritage

This dish ain't just food; it's a hug in a baking dish. lasagna, with its origins steeped in italian culinary tradition, is the dish for sharing.

Making a 2 layer lasagna or even one with more, its just time.

This recipe is a slightly-more-than-dead-easy affair and will take about 2 hours from start to finish. This recipe yields 8 hefty slices!

The Ultimate Comfort Lasagna Recipe Card

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Preparation time:01 Hrs 15 Mins

Cooking time:45 Mins

Servings:8

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
• 1/4 cup beef broth
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk, warmed
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
• 1 pound lasagna noodles (oven-ready/no-boil preferred, or regular)
• 15 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
• 1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

• Prepare the Ragu: Brown ground beef and sausage. Drain excess fat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until softened. Stir in oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine (if using), beef broth, and sugar. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the Béchamel: Melt butter in a saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux. Gradually whisk in warmed milk until smooth. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
• Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well.
• Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of ragu in the bottom of the baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles, followed by ricotta mixture, ragu, béchamel, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with a top layer of noodles, béchamel, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
• Bake the Lasagna: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
• Rest the Lasagna: Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the layers to set and makes for easier serving.

Why This Lasagna Is The Bee's Knees

Forget ready meals, this oven baked lasagna recipes will change your life. packed with protein and cheesy goodness, it's perfect for a sunday roast-esque gathering.

What makes it special? this lasagna recipe easy ricotta ensures every bite is creamy heaven. honestly, you need this in your life.

Ingredients To Make Lasagna

Right, gather 'round, here's what you'll need:

• For the Ragu: Olive oil, ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine (optional), beef broth, sugar, salt, and pepper.
• For the Béchamel: Butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
• For Assembly: Lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese.

Lasagna Steps

First, you prep the ragu. brown the meats. add aromatics. simmer. then, whip up the béchamel. now, prepare the ricotta mix! after that assemble.

Bake at 375° f ( 190° c) until golden. rest. serve and enjoy!

Lasagna Marinara

While this recipe features a meat-based ragu, you can totally swap it for a vibrant marinara sauce! it's a cracking way to make it vegetarian-friendly.

The richness of the lasagna lasagna comes from the careful layering.

Ricotta In Lasagna

Some folks think ricotta in lasagna is non-negotiable! my grandma always insisted it was the secret to a creamy texture.

This recipe uses a simple ricotta mix with egg and parmesan. this light and delicious variation will give the palate a rest from all those meats.

Variations

Fancy a quick and simple version? a 4 ingredient lasagna using pre-made sauce and oven-ready noodles is doable. but, honestly, the proper stuff is worth the effort.

Want to go vegetarian? load it with veggies.

Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Started!

So, you want to know how to make lasagna ? awesome! let's talk about what you'll need. this isn’t about being fancy; it's about the right stuff.

Think of it like building lego – you need all the right pieces. seriously, finding ingredients to make lasagna shouldn’t be stressful.

I’ve messed it up plenty of times using whatever i had lying around, and trust me, it shows!

Main Ingredients: The Heart of the Matter

Let’s break down what you absolutely need, with measurements both in cups/spoons and grams/ml. i'm giving you all the secrets to lasagna recipe easy ricotta .

I've learned a few tricks over the years.

For the Ragu (Meat Sauce):

• Olive oil: 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . Go for extra virgin, it makes a diff!
• Ground beef: 1 pound (450g) . Look for 80/20 blend; that fat is flavor.
• Italian sausage: 1/2 pound (225g) . Get the good stuff, casings removed. Trust me on this.
• Onion: 1 large , finely chopped.
• Garlic: 2 cloves , minced.
• Dried oregano: 1 teaspoon .
• Dried basil: 1/2 teaspoon .
• Red pepper flakes: 1/4 teaspoon (optional) . For a little kick.
• Crushed tomatoes: 1 (28 ounce/800g) can . San Marzano are the gold standard.
• Tomato sauce: 1 (15 ounce/425g) can .
• Dry red wine: 1/2 cup (120 ml) (optional) . Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon – something you’d actually drink!
• Beef broth: 1/4 cup (60 ml) .
• Sugar: 1 teaspoon .
• Salt and pepper: To taste, obvs!

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• Unsalted butter: 6 tablespoons (85g) . Real butter, always!
• All-purpose flour: 6 tablespoons (45g) .
• Whole milk: 4 cups (950ml) , warmed. Warming helps prevent lumps.
• Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon .
• Salt and white pepper: To taste.

For Assembly:

• Lasagna noodles: 1 pound (450g) . Oven-ready (no-boil) are a lifesaver! If you’re making a 2 layer lasagna , you might not need the whole box.
• Ricotta cheese: 15 ounces (425g) . Whole milk is the way to go. Never use the fat-free stuff in a lasagna.
• Egg: 1 large , lightly beaten.
• Parmesan cheese: 1/4 cup (25g) , grated, plus more for topping. Freshly grated is best.
• Mozzarella cheese: 1 pound (450g) , shredded. Low-moisture, part-skim is your friend here.

Seasoning Notes: Spicing Things Up!

The ragu is all about that classic italian combo. oregano and basil are must-haves. garlic, obviously. red pepper flakes give it a nice warmth, but skip 'em if you're spice-averse.

The wine… honestly, it adds depth. but beef broth works fine too! and for the béchamel, nutmeg is the secret weapon.

It makes it taste like a hug. you can also make lasagna marinara version.

Equipment Needed: Not a Kitchen Nightmare!

You don't need a ton of fancy gear for oven baked lasagna recipes . Just the basics:

• Large skillet or Dutch oven: For the ragu.
• 9x13 inch baking dish: This is the classic lasagna size.
• Medium saucepan: For the béchamel.
• Mixing bowls: For prepping ingredients.
• Cheese grater: A must for Parmesan and mozzarella.

If you don't have a dutch oven, a large, deep skillet will do. if you're missing a cheese grater… well, you can buy pre-shredded, but fresh is always better.

Don't be intimidated by all the lasagna steps ! it’s all about that slow cooking!

Alright, let's dive into how to make lasagna , the ultimate comfort food. honestly, who doesn't love layers of cheesy goodness? we're talking about a dish that's perfect for sunday dinners, potlucks, or honestly, any day you need a hug from the inside out.

This isn't just any recipe; this is the lasagna recipe.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place is Your BFF

Before we even think about layering, let's get organised. this essential mise en place will save your sanity. first, chop your onion and mince that garlic.

Get your ground beef and sausage ready to rock 'n' roll. measure out your spices. trust me, it's worth it.

Oh my gosh, and please don't forget, safety first! make sure your knives are sharp. use a cutting board and keep those fingers out of the way.

Remember: band-aids aren't part of the ingredients to make lasagna .

Let's Get Layering: Lasagna Steps Unveiled

Here's a simple rundown, so you get an amazing Oven Baked Lasagna Recipes :

1. Brown your ground beef and sausage in a large skillet. Drain off any excess fat. Nobody wants a greasy lasagna, you know?
2. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened. About 5 minutes should do it.
3. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if you're feeling spicy), crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine (if using), beef broth, and sugar. Simmer for at least 30 minutes , stirring occasionally.
4. In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of ragu. Layer lasagna noodles on top.
5. Dollop the ricotta mixture, followed by more ragu, béchamel sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat these layers.
6. Top with remaining noodles, béchamel, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Remember, the cheese is the best part!
7. Cover with foil and bake at 375° F ( 190° C) for 25 minutes . Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes , or until golden and bubbly.
8. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This is crucial! The Lasagna Lasagna will be much easier to serve if you let it chill a bit.

Lasagna Recipe Easy: Pro Tips for the Win!

Honestly, one of the biggest mistakes people make is overcooking the noodles. if using regular noodles, undercook them slightly. they'll finish cooking in the oven.

Don't skip the ricotta in lasagna ! it adds that creamy texture that you just can't beat. and if you're short on time, you could try a 4 ingredient lasagna using pre-made sauce and no-boil noodles.

But honestly, the homemade sauce is so worth it. oh, and you can easily prep the ragu a day ahead.

It actually tastes even better the next day!

So, that's how to make lasagna ! i am sure that you are making this amazing 2 layer lasagna . it's a labour of love, but every single bite is a slice of pure joy.

Happy cooking, folks!

Okay, let's flesh out those recipe notes for our Ultimate Comfort Lasagna! I'll keep it chatty and real, like we're gossiping over a cuppa.

Recipe Notes: Little Things That Make a BIG Difference

So, you're ready to tackle this amazing Oven Baked Lasagna Recipes adventure, huh? Awesome! But before you dive headfirst into how to make lasagna , let's chat about a few crucial details that can elevate your lasagna from "meh" to "OMG, this is amazing!" We're going for the best Lasagna Lasagna !

Serving Up Some Deliciousness

Right, presentation matters, you know? i mean, we eat with our eyes first, don't we? forget fancy plating if that is not your thing.

A simple sprinkle of fresh basil on top works wonders. oh, and garlic bread is a must! a simple green salad on the side adds some freshness.

And honestly, a glass of chianti? chef's kiss! imagine the scene! your 2 layer lasagna comes out steaming, and it's perfect.

Storage Secrets (Because Leftovers Are a Blessing)

Look, if there are any leftovers, you're winning at life. to keep this deliciousness for later. fridge-wise, your cooked lasagna can chill happily for 3-4 days if stored properly in an airtight container.

Freezing? absolutely! wrap individual slices tightly in cling film and then foil. it'll keep for up to 2-3 months . when reheating from frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheat in the oven at 350° f ( 175° c) covered with foil, until heated through. don't microwave it, you'll ruin the texture! i promise!

Remixing Your Lasagna: Flavours To Play With

Listen, the classic is great, but sometimes you want a little twist, right? veggie friends? swap the meat ragu for roasted veggies.

Aubergine, courgette, peppers—all the good stuff. trust me; it's delicious. want to cut the carbs? you can find no ingredients to make lasagna with pasta sheets.

Nutrition Nuggets (The Good Stuff)

Okay, okay, i know we're talking comfort food here, but it's good to know what we're putting in our bodies, right? as a rough idea, each serving clocks in at around 550-650 calories.

Lasagna marinara has protein and calcium from the cheese and fibre if you throw in veggies. it’s a balanced dish, especially if you tweak it!

So, there you have it. lasagna steps , the little secrets of lasagna success! don't be scared to play around with lasagna recipe easy ricotta , and ricotta in lasagna .

You can do it! you're gonna nail this. honestly, you will. now go get your 4 ingredient lasagna on. enjoy!