The COMPLETE Recipe for Easy Family-Friendly Lasagna
Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
2 cups marinara sauce
1 half teaspoon garlic powder
1 half teaspoon onion powder
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente then drain and set aside
In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef or Italian sausage
Drain any excess grease from the meat
Stir in the marinara sauce garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper
Remove from heat and set aside
In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta cheese egg Italian herbs salt and pepper until well blended
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish
Layer three lasagna noodles over the sauce
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta
Add one third of the mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta 
Spoon one third of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese
Repeat the layers two more times finishing with noodles and topping with the remaining sauce
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden
Let the lasagna cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 
Kcal: 400 | Servings: 8

The COMPLETE Recipe for Easy Family-Friendly Lasagna
Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles uncooked
1 pound ground beef
3 quarters cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 jar spaghetti sauce about 24 ounces
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg large
3 quarters cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 quarter teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C
In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is soft
Drain any excess fat from the skillet
Add the jar of spaghetti sauce to the skillet and stir to combine
In a separate bowl mix together the ricotta cheese egg Parmesan cheese dried oregano salt and black pepper until well incorporated
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish
Layer three uncooked lasagna noodles over the meat sauce
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles
Sprinkle one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture
Add another layer of meat sauce over the cheese
Repeat the layering process with three more noodles half of the remaining ricotta mixture and one cup of mozzarella cheese followed by another layer of meat sauce
Top with the last three noodles remaining meat sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden
Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing
Serve warm
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 400 | Servings: 8

The COMPLETE Recipe for Easy Family-Friendly Lasagna
Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
2 cups marinara sauce
1 half teaspoon garlic powder
1 half teaspoon onion powder
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente then drain and set aside
In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef or Italian sausage
Drain any excess grease from the meat
Stir in the marinara sauce garlic powder onion powder salt and pepper
Remove from heat and set aside
In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta cheese egg Italian herbs salt and pepper until well blended
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish
Layer three lasagna noodles over the sauce
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the pasta
Add one third of the mozzarella cheese on top of the ricotta
Spoon one third of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese
Repeat the layers two more times finishing with noodles and topping with the remaining sauce
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden
Let the lasagna cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Kcal: 400 | Servings: 8

Recipe At a Glance

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 8

The COMPLETE Recipe for Easy Family-Friendly Lasagna
Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles uncooked
1 pound ground beef
3 quarters cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic minced
1 jar spaghetti sauce about 24 ounces
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg large
3 quarters cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 quarter teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F or 190 degrees C
In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef with the chopped onion and minced garlic until the beef is browned and the onion is soft
Drain any excess fat from the skillet
Add the jar of spaghetti sauce to the skillet and stir to combine
In a separate bowl mix together the ricotta cheese egg Parmesan cheese dried oregano salt and black pepper until well incorporated
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish
Layer three uncooked lasagna noodles over the meat sauce
Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles
Sprinkle one cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture
Add another layer of meat sauce over the cheese
Repeat the layering process with three more noodles half of the remaining ricotta mixture and one cup of mozzarella cheese followed by another layer of meat sauce
Top with the last three noodles remaining meat sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden
Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing
Serve warm
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Kcal: 400 | Servings: 8

Recipe Tips

• Layer Wisely — Start and end with meat sauce to ensure the top layer has enough moisture for the noodles to properly cook. This prevents the top noodles from becoming too tough or chewy.

• Avoid Watery Lasagna — After baking, let the lasagna sit for a full 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and prevents a soupy texture when you cut into it.

• Shortcut for Cheese Mixing — To save time and achieve a smoother ricotta mixture, use a hand mixer on low speed instead of a spoon or spatula. This evenly incorporates the egg and cheeses in half the time.

• Use No-Cook Noodles — If you want to save time on prep, opt for no-cook gluten-free noodles. They absorb moisture as the dish bakes, which allows you to skip the pre-cooking step entirely.

• Boost Flavor with Herbs — Don’t hesitate to add fresh herbs like basil or parsley to your ricotta mixture for an aromatic punch. Just a handful will enhance the flavor without a lot of extra effort!

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerator: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure to allow it to cool to room temperature before sealing it to minimize condensation.

• Freezer: Lasagna freezes very well. To freeze, wrap individual servings or the entire dish in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

• Reheating: To reheat refrigerated lasagna, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. If reheating frozen lasagna, it's best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating, which may take 35-45 minutes in the oven. For microwave reheating, place a slice on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat for about 2-3 minutes, checking for warmth.

What to Serve With This

• Garlic Bread — The crispy, buttery texture complements the gooey lasagna wonderfully while soaking up any leftover sauce.
• Caesar Salad — A fresh salad adds a light crunch and crispness that balances the rich and hearty flavors of the lasagna.
• Italian Red Wine — A fruity Chianti enhances the flavors of the ground beef and rich cheeses, making each bite even more delicious.
• Tiramisu — This classic Italian dessert offers a sweet, coffee-flavored finish that contrasts deliciously with the savory lasagna.

Substitutions & Variations

• Ground Beef Swap — Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a leaner option that still provides a hearty texture and flavor.
• Ricotta Alternative — Substitute cottage cheese for ricotta cheese for a lower-fat option that still adds creaminess, just blend it for a smoother consistency.
• Vegetarian Variation — Replace the ground beef with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or a mix of your favorite vegetables for a delicious veggie lasagna.
• Noodle Substitute — If you can't find traditional lasagna noodles, use no-boil oven-ready lasagna sheets, which can save prep time without sacrificing flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for the ground beef for a leaner option; just be aware that it may alter the flavor slightly.

What if I don't have ricotta cheese?
If you don't have ricotta, you can substitute it with cottage cheese or cream cheese mixed with a bit of milk to achieve a similar creamy texture.

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and store it, covered, in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake it.

What size baking dish should I use?
This recipe calls for a 9 by 13 inch baking dish, which is perfect for holding all the layers of ingredients without overflowing during baking.