lasagna recipe with meat and cheese on top

Crazy Good Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food

by

If you’re looking for a crazy good lasagna that’s loaded with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese, then this Magnolia Lasagna Recipe is exactly what you need. Inspired by restaurant-style lasagna, this dish is the perfect combination of flavors and textures, making it one of the best damn lasagna on earth!

Whether you’re making a baked lasagna recipe with ricotta for a cozy family dinner or preparing a mini lasagna recipe for individual servings, this recipe will not disappoint. Let’s get started on making a delicious lasagna recipe that’s easy, cheesy, and unforgettable.

Save

Ingredients Overview

Here’s what you’ll need to make the best lasagna recipe from scratch:

For the Meat Sauce:

  • Ground Beef (1 pound or 450g)
  • Italian Sausage (½ pound or 225g, optional for extra flavor)
  • Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Onion (1 medium, finely chopped)
  • Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
  • Crushed Tomatoes (1 can, 28 ounces)
  • Tomato Sauce (1 can, 15 ounces)
  • Tomato Paste (2 tablespoons)
  • Water (½ cup)
  • Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon)
  • Black Pepper (½ teaspoon)
  • Red Pepper Flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional for spice)
  • Sugar (1 teaspoon, to balance acidity)
  • Fresh Basil or Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)

For the Ricotta Mixture:

  • Ricotta Cheese (1 ½ cups)
  • Egg (1 large)
  • Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, grated)
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Black Pepper (½ teaspoon)

For the Lasagna Layers:

  • Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles (12 sheets)
  • Mozzarella Cheese (3 cups, shredded)
  • Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, grated)

Kitchen Equipment Needed

To prepare this crazy good lasagna, you’ll need:

  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Aluminum foil

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef and Italian sausage (if using). Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
  4. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
  5. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Stir well.
  6. Bring the sauce to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. Stir in fresh basil or parsley before removing from heat.

Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  3. Place 3-4 oven-ready lasagna noodles on top, slightly overlapping.
  4. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
  5. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
  6. Add 1 cup of meat sauce and spread evenly.
  7. Repeat the layers two more times (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce).
  8. For the final layer, place noodles on top, cover with the remaining meat sauce, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Bake the Lasagna

  1. Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  2. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  3. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Lasagna

  • Use Oven-Ready Noodles for Convenience: No need to boil, they cook perfectly in the sauce.
  • Let the Sauce Simmer: A slow-cooked meat sauce develops deeper flavors.
  • Let It Rest Before Serving: Resting helps the layers set for clean slices.

Save

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not Using Enough Sauce: The noodles need enough liquid to cook properly.
  • Overcooking the Pasta: If using regular noodles, don’t overboil them before baking.
  • Skipping the Foil: Covering the lasagna while baking keeps it from drying out.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

  • Classic Plating: Serve slices on plates with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.
  • Restaurant-Style Garnish: Drizzle with olive oil and add red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
  • Mini Lasagna Portions: Use muffin tins to create individual mini lasagnas for parties.

Recipe Variations and Customizations

  • Five Cheese Lasagna: Use a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, provolone, and fontina for a cheesy upgrade.
  • Vegetarian Lasagna: Replace the meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.
  • Spicy Lasagna: Add extra red pepper flakes or spicy Italian sausage.

Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Assemble the lasagna, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Reheating: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes or microwave individual portions with a splash of water.

Pairing Ideas for a Complete Meal

  • Garlic Bread: A crispy, buttery side that complements the rich lasagna.
  • Caesar Salad: A fresh, tangy salad balances out the cheesy layers.
  • Roasted Vegetables: Serve with asparagus, bell peppers, or Brussels sprouts.

Save

FAQ Section

Can I make lasagna ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the lasagna, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Do I have to use ricotta cheese?
No, you can substitute cottage cheese or béchamel sauce for a different texture.

How do I prevent watery lasagna?
Make sure to drain excess liquid from the meat sauce and let the lasagna rest before cutting.

Try This Crazy Good Lasagna Today!

This Crazy Good Lasagna Recipe is the perfect balance of meaty sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or a weeknight dinner, it’s guaranteed to impress. If you loved this recipe, share it with your friends and subscribe for more delicious lasagna recipes!

Crazy Good Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food

Save

If you’re looking for a crazy good lasagna that’s loaded with layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted cheese, then this Magnolia Lasagna Recipe is exactly what you need

  • To prepare this crazy good lasagna, you’ll need:
  • Large skillet or saucepan
  • Mixing bowls
  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Aluminum foil

For the Meat Sauce:

  • Ground Beef (1 pound or 450g)
  • Italian Sausage (½ pound or 225g, optional for extra flavor)
  • Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)
  • Onion (1 medium, finely chopped)
  • Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
  • Crushed Tomatoes (1 can, 28 ounces)
  • Tomato Sauce (1 can, 15 ounces)
  • Tomato Paste (2 tablespoons)
  • Water (½ cup)
  • Italian Seasoning (1 teaspoon)
  • Salt (1 teaspoon)
  • Black Pepper (½ teaspoon)
  • Red Pepper Flakes (¼ teaspoon, optional for spice)
  • Sugar (1 teaspoon, to balance acidity)
  • Fresh Basil or Parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped)

For the Ricotta Mixture:

  • Ricotta Cheese (1 ½ cups)
  • Egg (1 large)
  • Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, grated)
  • Salt (½ teaspoon)
  • Black Pepper (½ teaspoon)

For the Lasagna Layers:

  • Oven-Ready Lasagna Noodles (12 sheets)
  • Mozzarella Cheese (3 cups, shredded)
  • Parmesan Cheese (½ cup, grated)
  1. Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef and Italian sausage (if using). Cook until browned, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Drain any excess grease.
  5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water.
  6. Add Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes (if using), and sugar. Stir well.
  7. Bring the sauce to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Stir in fresh basil or parsley before removing from heat.
  9. Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture
  10. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.
  11. Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna
  12. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  13. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  14. Place 3-4 oven-ready lasagna noodles on top, slightly overlapping.
  15. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
  16. Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the ricotta.
  17. Add 1 cup of meat sauce and spread evenly.
  18. Repeat the layers two more times (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce).
  19. For the final layer, place noodles on top, cover with the remaining meat sauce, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
  20. Step 4: Bake the Lasagna
  21. Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
  22. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
  23. Let the lasagna rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Use Oven-Ready Noodles for Convenience: No need to boil, they cook perfectly in the sauce.
Let the Sauce Simmer: A slow-cooked meat sauce develops deeper flavors.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Resting helps the layers set for clean slices.

Dinner
Italian
Easy Homemade Lasagna

Leave a Comment