The Homemade Lasagna Recipe

Lasagna lovers, get ready to experience the best homemade version of this classic dish! Say goodbye to gummy no-bake noodles and jarred sauces—this recipe brings all the rich, deep flavors together for a lasagna that will impress every time.

---

Lasagna Cooking Tips:

1. Forget No-Boil Noodles: They can turn out gummy. Instead, soak regular lasagna noodles in hot tap water for at least 30 minutes. This softens them perfectly for baking—plus, it’s one less pot to clean!
2. Use High-Quality Ingredients: San Marzano tomatoes are the gold standard when it comes to canned tomatoes. Their natural sweetness, perfect acidity, and rich texture elevate the sauce to the next level.
3. Simmer Your Sauce: The longer you let the meat sauce simmer, the deeper the flavors will be. Even an hour makes a difference, but if you have time, let it go for up to four hours.

---

Ingredients (Makes 8 generous servings):

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
• 1 lb lean ground beef (grass-fed recommended)
• 1 large white onion, diced
• 7 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (San Marzano preferred)
• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup white wine (choose one you’d drink!)
• 2 Tbsp white sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 30 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

Other Ingredients:

• 1 lb lasagna noodles
• 1 lb thinly sliced mozzarella (about 26 slices)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)

---

Tools You’ll Need:

• Large stockpot
• Lasagna pan
• Mixing bowl
• Spatula
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Chef’s knife

---

Directions:

Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce

1. Heat a large stockpot over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and ground beef, breaking up the meat as it browns.
2. Stir in diced onion and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Mix in sugar, basil, fennel, oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup parsley.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and white wine. Stir well.
5. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for at least 1 hour (or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor), stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Prep the Noodles

1. Place uncooked lasagna noodles in a large pan and cover them with hot tap water.
2. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and nutmeg.
2. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to use.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a lasagna pan with butter.
2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce evenly over the bottom of the pan.
3. Lay down 4 noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles.
5. Add 1/4 of the mozzarella slices.
6. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella.
7. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
8. Repeat these layers two more times for a total of three layers.
9. For the final layer, add a last row of pasta, top with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
10. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

1. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
2. Remove foil and bake for another 25 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.
3. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

---

Final Thoughts:

This lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, with layers of rich, savory sauce, creamy ricotta, and perfectly tender noodles. Make it for special occasions, family dinners, or just when you need a hearty, homemade meal.

Don’t forget to pair it with some garlic bread and a fresh salad for the full Italian experience. Enjoy!