Classic Homemade Beef Lasagna
Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Moderate10
servings30
minutes1
hour450
kcalThis classic homemade beef lasagna recipe is the ultimate comfort food. Featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, and a rich cheese mixture, this dish is sure to satisfy your cravings for a hearty and flavorful meal. Baked to perfection and garnished with fresh basil leaves, this lasagna is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to eat. Perfect for feeding a crowd or for enjoying leftovers, this recipe is a must-try for any lasagna lover.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 jar (24 ounces) of your favorite tomato sauce
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 package (16 ounces) lasagna noodles
1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned, stirring occasionally. Drain off any excess fat.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
- Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, followed by a layer of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the lasagna.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and the lasagna is heated through.
- Let the lasagna cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe makes approximately 8-10 servings of lasagna. However, the actual number of servings may vary depending on the portion size and the appetites of those being served.
- The prep time for this recipe is approximately 20-30 minutes. This includes preparing the ingredients, cooking the ground beef, making the cheese mixture, and assembling the lasagna.
- The cook time for this recipe is approximately 50-60 minutes. This includes baking the lasagna in the oven for 25 minutes covered with aluminum foil, and then an additional 25-30 minutes uncovered to allow the cheese to turn golden brown and the lasagna to heat through.
- The number of calories in this recipe can vary based on the specific ingredients and serving size used. However, a typical serving of homemade beef lasagna (approximately 1/8th of the recipe) can contain between 350-500 calories, depending on the portion size and the specific ingredients used in the recipe. To get a more accurate calorie count for this recipe, it is recommended to calculate the calorie count for the specific ingredients used and divide by the number of servings.
- This recipe is typically served as a main course. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a side salad and garlic bread for a more complete meal.
- This recipe is typically associated with Italian cuisine, as lasagna is a traditional Italian dish made with layers of pasta, cheese, and tomato sauce. However, variations of lasagna are also popular in other countries, and this recipe can be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences.
- This recipe is considered to be of moderate difficulty. While the ingredients and steps are relatively straightforward, there are several components to this recipe that require some preparation and assembly. The lasagna noodles need to be cooked separately, and the meat sauce and cheese mixture need to be prepared and layered carefully to ensure the lasagna is evenly distributed. Additionally, the cooking time may be longer than some other recipes, which may require more time and attention. Overall, this recipe may be more challenging for novice cooks, but it is a classic dish that is worth the effort.