Oven-Ready Lasagna Recipe
This oven-ready lasagna recipe is the ultimate comfort food, featuring layers of tender noodles, rich meat sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners, this lasagna will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen!
Ingredients
- Oven-ready lasagna noodles (12-15 sheets)
- Ground beef (1 lb or 450g)
- Tomato sauce (2 cups)
- Tomato paste (2 tbsp)
- Onion, chopped (1 medium)
- Garlic, minced (2 cloves)
- Olive oil (2 tbsp)
- Ricotta cheese (15 oz or 425g)
- Mozzarella cheese, shredded (3 cups)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (1 cup)
- Fresh basil, chopped (1 tbsp, optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10-15 minutes.
- Layer the Lasagna: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by more meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and shredded mozzarella. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake the Lasagna: Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let it Set: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or a dash of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Feel free to substitute the ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- You can make this lasagna in advance and refrigerate it overnight before baking.