Homemade Lasagna

With its rich meat sauce, three types of cheese, and perfectly cooked noodles, this classic lasagna is cheesy, saucy, and satisfying. Whether for a cozy family dinner or feeding a crowd, it’s a guaranteed hit!

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Ingredients

Meat Sauce

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 or lean)

• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

• 2 large garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup dry red wine (or beef broth)

• 3 cups (24 oz) marinara sauce

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

• 1/4 tsp dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)

• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Cheese Mixture

• 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese

• 15 oz part-skim ricotta cheese

• 1 large egg

• 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (reserve 3 cups for layering)

Other

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (remaining from above)

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Instructions

✅ 1. Make the Meat Sauce

1. In a deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and onions. Cook until beef is browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.

3. Stir in red wine and cook until nearly evaporated, about 2 minutes.

4. Add marinara sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, sugar, and parsley. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.

✅ 2. Make the Cheese Mixture

1. In a large bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, egg, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.

✅ 3. Cook the Noodles

1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add lasagna noodles and cook until al dente.

2. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.

✅ 4. Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. In a 9×13-inch deep casserole dish, spread 1/2 cup meat sauce on the bottom.

3. Layer 3 noodles over the sauce.

4. Add 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 of the cheese mixture.

5. Repeat layers: noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella, cheese mixture.

6. Finish with 3 noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the final 2 cups of mozzarella.

✅ 5. Bake

1. (Optional but helpful) Insert 9–12 toothpicks halfway into the top of the lasagna to prevent foil from sticking to the cheese.

2. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

3. Remove foil and broil for 3–5 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

✅ 6. Rest & Serve

1. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes before slicing. This helps it set and hold its shape.

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Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating

• Make-Ahead: Assemble lasagna up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate before baking.

• To Freeze: Wrap well and freeze baked or unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months.

• To Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat at 350°F, covered with foil, until warmed through.

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️ Serving Suggestions

Pair your lasagna with:

• Garlic Bread or Focaccia

• Caesar or Caprese Salad

• Roasted Veggies

• A glass of red wine

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❓ FAQs

Can I use just ricotta or just cottage cheese?
Yes. Use ricotta for a creamier, more traditional Italian lasagna. Cottage cheese adds moisture and is a bit lighter.

What is “al dente”?
Pasta that’s slightly firm when bitten, not mushy. Perfect for baking so noodles don’t over-soften.

Can I use no-boil noodles?
Yes, but add extra sauce and cover tightly to ensure they cook properly in the oven.

Best store-bought marinara?
Rao’s is a popular choice for quality and flavor, but any rich, flavorful marinara works.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love It

• Balanced layers of meat, cheese, and pasta

• Perfect for leftovers or make-ahead meals

• Freezes and reheats beautifully

• A true crowd-pleaser!

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Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: 368

• Protein: 29g

• Carbs: 23g

• Fat: 16g

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⭐️ Recipe by Natasha Kravchuk

This tried-and-true family favorite has 1,100+ 5-star reviews for a reason!

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