Lasagna is a timeless Italian comfort food loved around the world for its rich, savory flavors and satisfying layers. This classic lasagna recipe combines sweet Italian sausage, lean ground beef, a rich tomato sauce, and a trio of cheeses—mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or preparing it ahead for a cozy night in, this hearty dish is guaranteed to impress.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage

• ¾ lb lean ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste

• 2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce

• ½ cup water

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Cheese Mixture:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese

• 1 egg

• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

• Salt, to taste

Additional Ingredients:

• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

• ¾ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded

• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Prepare the meat sauce:
   In a large skillet, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Add sugar, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer uncovered for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally.

2. Cook the noodles:
   While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions. Drain and lay flat on a towel to prevent sticking.

3. Mix the cheese filling:
   In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside.

4. Assemble the lasagna:
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1½ cups of meat sauce on the bottom. Layer with 3 cooked noodles, ⅓ of the ricotta mixture, mozzarella slices, and meat sauce. Repeat layers twice more, ending with sauce and topping with Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake:
   Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.

6. Rest and serve:
   Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with garlic bread or salad for a complete meal.

Nutrients (Estimated per serving, based on 12 servings)

• Calories: ~435 kcal

• Carbohydrates: ~29 g

• Protein: ~28 g

• Fat: ~23 g

• Saturated Fat: ~10 g

• Cholesterol: ~80 mg

• Sodium: ~800 mg

• Fiber: ~3 g

• Sugar: ~7 g

• Calcium: ~250 mg

• Iron: ~3 mg

A Slow-Simmered Meat Sauce That Sets the Tone

At the core of this dish is the homemade meat sauce, and it’s what gives this lasagna its signature depth and flavor. By combining sweet Italian sausage with lean ground beef, you get the perfect balance of richness and savory intensity. The sausage brings mild heat and subtle fennel notes, while the beef anchors the dish with meaty substance.

The addition of diced onions and garlic sautéed in the rendered fat enhances the base of the sauce. Then comes a medley of tomato products—crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce—each contributing its own texture and flavor. Crushed tomatoes offer body and freshness, tomato paste adds concentrated richness, and tomato sauce smooths everything out.

A touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, while parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, and fennel seeds infuse the sauce with classic Italian aroma and complexity. Simmering the sauce for over an hour allows all the flavors to marry beautifully, resulting in a hearty, aromatic meat sauce that permeates every layer of the lasagna.

Ricotta Cheese Mixture: Creamy and Light

In between the savory layers of sauce and noodles is a creamy, subtly seasoned ricotta cheese filling. The ricotta is mixed with a fresh egg to provide structure and creaminess, along with chopped parsley for herbaceous brightness. A small pinch of salt rounds out the flavor, ensuring it doesn’t get lost between the bold meat sauce and the melty mozzarella.

This ricotta mixture adds a mild, creamy contrast to the dense, meaty sauce and is spread generously in each layer, helping to build that luxurious bite that lasagna lovers crave.

Mozzarella and Parmesan: The Ultimate Cheese Duo

While ricotta adds creaminess, it’s mozzarella and Parmesan that deliver the melt and sharpness that define a classic lasagna. Mozzarella, whether shredded or sliced, gives the dish that gooey, stringy pull that makes every serving satisfying. It melts beautifully into the sauce and ricotta, ensuring each bite is rich and cohesive.

Parmesan, added on top before baking, provides a salty, nutty finish and helps form that coveted golden crust. As the lasagna bakes, the Parmesan crisps up slightly, creating a beautiful contrast to the soft layers beneath.

Together, these cheeses elevate the lasagna from simple to indulgent, creating layers of both flavor and texture.

Perfectly Cooked Lasagna Noodles for Ideal Texture

To complete the layers, classic boiled lasagna noodles are used—tender, yet firm enough to hold the structure of the dish. Cooking the noodles al dente is key; it prevents them from turning mushy after baking and ensures they hold up under the layers of sauce and cheese.

Once cooked and drained, the noodles are laid flat to cool, which keeps them from sticking and makes assembly easier. Their mild flavor provides the perfect neutral backdrop for the bold sauce and rich cheeses.

Assembling the Layers for Success

The art of a great lasagna lies in its layering. This recipe follows the tried-and-true method of layering sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and repeating the process to build a well-structured and balanced casserole. Each bite should offer a bit of everything: saucy richness, cheesy creaminess, and satisfying pasta.

Starting with sauce at the bottom helps prevent sticking and infuses flavor from the very first layer. The final top layer is generous with sauce and cheese, ensuring a beautiful finish once baked.

Baked to Perfection and Rested for the Perfect Slice

The lasagna is baked covered for the first half to retain moisture and help everything cook evenly. Removing the foil in the final 25 minutes allows the cheese to brown and bubble, creating a golden top that’s both visually appealing and texturally delightful.

Allowing the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes after baking is essential. This not only helps the flavors settle, but also allows the layers to firm up for clean slicing. Cutting too soon can lead to a runny or collapsed presentation, so patience pays off with perfect squares.

Ideal for Make-Ahead and Freezer Meals

One of the best things about this lasagna is that it’s make-ahead and freezer-friendly. You can assemble it completely up to a day in advance and refrigerate, or even freeze it unbaked for future meals. When ready to bake, simply thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed.

Leftovers also reheat beautifully, making this an excellent meal prep option for busy families or work-from-home lunches. The flavors deepen with time, making each reheated serving even more flavorful than the last.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

To round out the meal, serve this lasagna with a side of garlic bread or focaccia, a crisp green salad, and a glass of red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese for a classic Italian pairing. For a lighter twist, pair it with roasted vegetables or a citrusy arugula salad.

Finish with a tiramisu, panna cotta, or gelato for a well-rounded Italian dining experience that feels both comforting and luxurious.

Nutritional Overview

Each hearty serving of this lasagna delivers approximately 435 calories, balanced between carbohydrates, protein, and fat. With 28 grams of protein, it’s a filling main course that satisfies even the biggest appetites. Though rich, it can be balanced with lighter sides or modified slightly by using part-skim cheeses or ground turkey in place of beef and sausage.

Conclusion

Classic Italian Lasagna is the epitome of comfort food—warm, hearty, and layered with love. With its savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, stretchy mozzarella, and golden Parmesan top, this dish delivers the bold, satisfying flavors that make lasagna a favorite in kitchens around the world. Whether you’re feeding a family, preparing for guests, or simply craving a taste of home-cooked indulgence, this recipe is a surefire way to satisfy and impress. It’s not just a meal—it’s a tradition worth savoring.