Classic Lasagna

Classic Lasagna is a hearty, comfort-filled dish you can make for dinner any night of the week! With a savory beef filling, mounds of melted cheese, and a creamy pasta sauce, this pasta dish is a classic choice for a reason! Make a pan for dinner, and freeze a second one to enjoy later.

In an ideal world, we’d all be rolling out our own pasta noodles and delightfully stirring up a batch of homemade marinara sauce to use for all our recipes. But I know most of us just don’t have time to make our noodles and tomato sauce from scratch, as wonderful as those homemade touches are!

Even with store-bought ingredients, this recipe is an easy way to provide a great-tasting, filling meal. It’s also perfect for a new mom or a sick neighbor. So sign up for those meal trains and get to work on this lasagna recipe!

One of my favorite things about lasagna is that it’s a classic dish you can make in so many different ways. I love to make it with chicken and white sauce for an alfredo-style lasagna, or with vegetables for a vegetarian option! I love a good spinach lasagna, too!

Classic Lasagna Ingredients:

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this homemade lasagna. Gather together the following items:

• Ground beef
• Diced onion
• Store-bought pasta sauce (I used Giada’s Creamy Tomato Sauce and it was perfect! But feel free to use your favorite sauce.)
• Ricotta cheese
• Shredded parmesan cheese
• One large egg
• Dried oregano
• Dried parsley
• Garlic powder
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Lasagna noodles

You can find a detailed ingredient list and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Make This Traditional Lasagna Recipe

This recipe requires you to boil the lasagna noodles ahead of time before assembling the casserole. For a shortcut, check out the recipe notes below!

1. Cook the Beef: First, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. While it heats, cook the diced onion and ground beef in a large skillet until browned. Now add your pasta sauce to the beef mixture and stir to coat. Simmer over low heat until you are ready to assemble the lasagna.
2. Boil the Lasagna: Next, boil water in a large pot. Add the box of lasagna noodles and boil noodles following the package directions. Don’t worry if some of the noodles are broken. They will still work just fine in the lasagna.
3. Make the Ricotta Mixture: Combine the egg, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, dried parsley, dried oregano, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Mix and set aside.

Now it’s time to assemble the lasagna!

1. Spread one cup of the sauce with meat in the bottom of a greased 9×13 baking dish. Next, place 3 lasagna noodles lengthwise in the baking dish over the meat sauce.  Then spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with ¾ cup mozzarella cheese and 1/3 of the remaining meat mixture.
2. Repeat layers in the same order: noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, meat.
3. Finish by adding the last layer of noodles topped with the remaining sauce. Bake covered with a piece of tin foil in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
4. Uncover the lasagna, add the remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.
5. Let it stand for about 5 minutes before slicing and serving with your favorite sides.

Recipe Notes

• You can use oven-ready lasagna noodles that don’t need to be boiled instead of regular lasagna noodles. Just use them in the recipe dry, layering them in as directed!
• Not a fan of ricotta cheese? You can use cottage cheese instead! It has a great flavor and some added protein! Some people just prefer the texture of one or the other, so use what suits you.
• Use ground turkey in this recipe for a leaner option.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried herbs. 1 tablespoon of oregano or fresh parsley equals one teaspoon of the dried version. 

FAQs

What should I serve with lasagna?

Try this easy lasagna recipe with my Cheesy Garlic Bread and Red Wine Sangria.

This Green Bean Almondine served with Herb Butter makes a great side dish, too. Roasted Vegetable Salad or Mixed Greens are some other delicious choices.

How do I store leftover Classic Lasagna?

Cover leftovers tightly with foil or transfer them to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions on a plate in the microwave.

Can I freeze Lasagna?

Yes! This easy recipe for lasagna freezes well, making it great for freezer meal prep or to have on hand to bring to a friend. You can freeze it either before or after you cook it. Here’s how:

• Before cooking: Assemble as directed in the recipe, but instead of throwing it in the oven, wrap it tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months.  
• After cooking: Allow the lasagna to cool to room temperature. Then wrap it with a layer of plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months.

How do I cook frozen Classic Lasagna?

I highly recommend moving it from the freezer to the fridge the day before you want to cook it as this helps it bake more quickly in the oven.

Then, remove the wrappings and recover it in just the layer of foil. Bake at 350 degrees F covered.

• If you are reheating a previously baked lasagna, you should only need about 30-40 minutes. Start with 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through.
• An uncooked lasagna will take at least an hour. Bake covered for 50 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until heated through.

More Lasagna Recipes

This Summer Vegetable Lasagna has tender zucchini and yellow squash, shiitake mushrooms, and fresh herbs to make this rich, cheesy dish one you will keep coming back for.

If you love Mexican food, this Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna recipe might just make your taste buds sing! This twist on lasagna combines chorizo, black beans, corn, and of course, a ton of cheese. Make it in the slow cooker for an easy meal with very little effort!

These Chicken Alfredo Lasagna Roll Ups will for sure become a family favorite in your house. With a homemade alfredo sauce, tender mushrooms, melted cheese, and flavorful shredded chicken, this twist on lasagna is worth the effort!

Which one will you make next time you’re craving lasagna?

This post was originally published on August 21, 2013. It has been updated in format and with pictures on January 16, 2025.