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Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe for Beginners

This easy homemade lasagna recipe for beginners is the perfect comfort food for family dinners, special occasions, or meal prep. Made with layers of tender lasagna noodles, rich homemade meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey melted mozzarella, this classic dish is simple to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you're making lasagna for the first time or looking for a foolproof recipe that delivers delicious results every time, this step-by-step guide will help you create a hearty, satisfying meal that everyone will love. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, this homemade lasagna is a timeless favorite worth adding to your recipe collection.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Meat Sauce
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • For the Cheese Filling
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • For Assembly
  • 12 lasagna noodles
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley optional

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook the Noodles
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  3. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions.
  4. Drain and set aside.
  5. Step 2: Make the Meat Sauce
  6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  7. Add diced onion and cook until soft.
  8. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  9. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  10. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
  11. Simmer for 20–25 minutes.
  12. Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Filling
  13. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese.
  14. Mix until smooth.
  15. Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
  16. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  17. Add a layer of noodles.
  18. Spread ricotta mixture over noodles.
  19. Add meat sauce.
  20. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese.
  21. Repeat layers until ingredients are used.
  22. Finish with mozzarella cheese on top.
  23. Step 5: Bake
  24. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  25. Cover with aluminum foil.
  26. Bake for 25 minutes.
  27. Remove foil and bake for another 20–25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  28. Step 6: Rest and Serve
  29. Let lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
  30. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
  31. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

Use oven-ready noodles to save time.
Letting the lasagna rest before slicing helps the layers stay together.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Ingredients for an easy homemade lasagna recipe for beginners
Simple pantry ingredients needed to make homemade lasagna from scratch.
Recipe Tips
  • For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Substitute ground turkey for a lighter version.
  • Add spinach or mushrooms for extra vegetables.