Classic Lasagna is a must-have staple in your recipe arsenal. It’s perfect for cold weekends, dinner parties, or a date night in with a bottle of wine. When it comes to comfort food, classic lasagna is the superstar of casseroles: timeless, iconic, and even better the next day. This recipe...

Classic Lasagna recipe
Prep Time
30min
Cook Time
1hr 15min
Total Time
1hr 45min

Ingredients

12 Servings
(1 serving = One slice of lasagna)

Meat Sauce

  • ground round
    ground round
    1/2lb
  • ground Italian sausage
    ground Italian sausage
    1/2lb
  • Worcestershire sauce
    Worcestershire sauce
    2tbsp
  • can crushed tomatoes
    can crushed tomatoes
    28oz
  • can petite diced tomatoes
    can petite diced tomatoes
    16oz
  • beef broth
    beef broth
    1/2cup
  • dried basil
    dried basil
    1tbsp
  • balsamic vinegar
    balsamic vinegar
    1tbsp
  • medium-bodied red wine like Shiraz or Pinot Noir
    medium-bodied red wine like Shiraz or Pinot Noir
    3/4cup
  • dried oregano
    dried oregano
    1tbsp
  • garlic, minced
    garlic, minced
    3clove
  • yellow onion diced
    yellow onion diced
    1/4
  • Lawry's seasoned salt
    Lawry's seasoned salt
    1tbsp
  • sea salt
    sea salt
    1tsp
  • ground pepper
    ground pepper
    1tsp

Ricotta Layer

  • egg egg
    egg egg
    1
  • container ricotta cheese
    container ricotta cheese
    12oz
  • Parmesan cheese
    Parmesan cheese
    1/2cup
  • sea salt
    sea salt
    1tbsp
  • ground pepper
    ground pepper
    2tbsp

Lasagna Layers

  • package lasagna pasta
    package lasagna pasta
    12oz
  • mozzarella cheese
    mozzarella cheese
    4cups
  • sliced provolone cheese
    sliced provolone cheese
    8oz
  • olive oil
    olive oil
    2tbsp
  • fresh Italian parsley, chopped
    fresh Italian parsley, chopped
    1bundle

How to make Classic Lasagna

Build the Sauce

  1. Step 1

    Heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté garlic until fragrant.

  2. Step 2

    Add diced onions and sauté until softened and slightly caramelized.

  3. Step 3

    Add ground beef and sausage, cooking until browned and crumbly.

  4. Step 4

    Stir in Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, crushed tomatoes, petite diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, seasoned salt, sea salt, and ground pepper.

  5. Step 5

    Bring to a slow boil, reduce heat, and add balsamic vinegar. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Mix the Ricotta Layer

  1. Step 1

    Combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg, sea salt, and ground pepper in a mixing bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.

Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Step 1

    Spread 1/2 cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×10 baking dish.

  2. Step 2

    Layer lasagna noodles, followed by ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and slices of provolone or mozzarella cheese.

  3. Step 3

    Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with meat sauce and mozzarella/provolone on top.

Bake the Lasagna

  1. Step 1

    Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for 1 hour.

  2. Step 2

    Uncover, sprinkle extra mozzarella if desired, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden and bubbling.

  3. Step 3

    Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

0.0kcal

Protein

0.0g

Carbs

0.0g

Sugars

0.0g

Healthy Fat

0.0g

Unhealthy Fat

0.0g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Go big on seasoning for the sauce and ricotta layers to maximize flavor.

  2. Rub dried herbs between your fingers before adding them to activate their fragrance.

  3. Use quality wine for cooking; if it's not good enough to drink, it's not good enough for the lasagna.

  4. Allow the lasagna to rest after baking to firm up the layers.

FAQS

  1. Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

    Yes, the sauce will cook the pasta during baking, so pre-boiling is not necessary.

  2. What type of wine works best for this recipe?

    Medium-bodied red wines like Shiraz or Pinot Noir are ideal.

  3. Can I substitute Italian sausage?

    Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or even more ground beef as a substitute.

  4. How long should I let the lasagna rest?

    Let it rest for 10-15 minutes to firm up the layers before serving.

  5. Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?

    Yes, you can assemble it ahead of time and refrigerate it. Bake it when ready to serve.

Loading reviews...

dixiechikcooks's profile picture
instagram

Shea Goldstein

(@dixiechikcooks)

A Southern Belle Who's Thinking About What's For Dinner While Eating Lunch...

chefadora
© 2025 Chefadora Pty Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Marnirni-apinthi Building, Lot Fourteen,
North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, 5000
Australia