WORLD’S BEST LASAGNA RECIPE
Few dishes are as comforting as a homemade lasagna, with its rich, meaty sauce and layers of melted cheese. This lasagna recipe, with three different kinds of cheese and a hearty ground beef sauce, has become a favorite for many, earning rave reviews for its flavor and satisfying texture. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd, whether you’re hosting a dinner party or preparing a weeknight family meal.
The secret to this lasagna’s acclaim lies in its combination of savory ground beef, finely chopped onions, and garlic, which create a robust base for the dish. The addition of marinara sauce and a hint of red wine or broth adds depth, while a trio of cheeses — mozzarella, ricotta, and cottage cheese — provides a creamy, indulgent finish. Layers of al dente noodles complete the dish, absorbing all the flavors as they bake to perfection.
Whether you’re new to lasagna-making or a seasoned cook looking to elevate your dish, this recipe offers a delicious experience. Follow along to discover how simple it can be to create a memorable, mouth-watering lasagna that everyone will love.
Star Ingredients in This Lasagna
- Ground Beef – Provides a rich and meaty base for the sauce, ideally with 15-20% fat content for the best flavor and texture.
- Onion and Garlic – Adds depth and an aromatic quality to the sauce, creating a savory foundation.
- Marinara Sauce – A convenient and flavorful tomato base that brings a tangy sweetness and balances the savory ingredients.
- Ricotta and Cottage Cheese – Creates a creamy, smooth layer that contrasts with the meat sauce, adding lightness and richness.
- Mozzarella Cheese – Melts beautifully, offering a gooey, stringy texture that makes every bite irresistible.
- Lasagna Noodles – The essential structure of the dish, cooked al dente to maintain a pleasant bite.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Perfect Lasagna
- Prepare the Meat Sauce: Sauté the ground beef with onions in a large pan until the beef is browned. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in red wine or beef broth and simmer until almost evaporated. Add marinara sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, and a bit of sugar to balance the acidity. Simmer briefly until the flavors meld.
- Mix the Cheese Layer: In a mixing bowl, blend together cottage cheese, ricotta, an egg, and part of the mozzarella, along with fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
- Cook the Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. This ensures they will hold up to the layers without becoming too soft.
- Layer the Lasagna: In a 9×13 casserole dish, begin with a thin layer of meat sauce to prevent sticking. Layer noodles, more meat sauce, mozzarella, and the cheese mixture, repeating until all ingredients are used. Ensure the top layer has a generous amount of mozzarella.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover with foil (using toothpicks to keep it from sticking to the cheese) and bake until heated through. Remove the foil and broil briefly to achieve a golden, bubbling top.
Tips for Making the Best Lasagna
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh parsley or basil can elevate the flavors and provide a burst of freshness.
- Let It Rest: Allow the lasagna to rest after baking to ensure neat slices.
- Experiment with Cheese: Try a mix of cheeses like parmesan or provolone for a different flavor profile.
Creative Variations and Serving Suggestions
For a vegetarian twist, replace the ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant. These vegetables provide a similar texture and soak up the sauce flavors beautifully. To make the dish more indulgent, consider adding a béchamel sauce layer between the noodles. Serve with a side of garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete meal.
Storing Your Leftover Lasagna
To keep your lasagna fresh, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It will stay good in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices wrapped in foil, then placed in freezer-safe bags. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly, and enjoy a delicious slice of comfort any day of the week!
WORLD’S BEST LASAGNA RECIPE
Savor a classic lasagna layered with three types of cheese and a rich, meaty ground beef sauce. This recipe is a favorite for a reason—it’s sure to be the best lasagna you’ve ever tried.
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef (15-20% fat content)
- 1 medium onion (finely diced)
- 2 large garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (3 cups)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped)
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 16 ounces low-fat cottage cheese
- 15 ounces reduced-fat ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons parsley (finely chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
For Assembly:
- 9 lasagna noodles (cooked al dente)
Preparing the Meat Sauce:
- Heat a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring and breaking up the meat, until the beef is browned and no longer pink.
- Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for another minute until fragrant.
- Pour in 1/4 cup of red wine or beef broth and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes until the liquid has mostly evaporated.
- Add the marinara sauce, sea salt, ground black pepper, dried thyme, granulated sugar, and chopped parsley. Bring the sauce to a simmer, cover, and let it cook for 5 minutes.
Preparing the Cheese Sauce:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, the egg, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Mix thoroughly until well-blended.
Assembling the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Boil a large pot of water, add salt, and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce over the bottom of a deep 9×13-inch casserole dish. Lay 3 cooked noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce over the noodles and sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Evenly spoon half of the cheese sauce over the mozzarella.
- Repeat this layering process: add 3 more noodles, another 1/3 of the meat sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the remaining half of the cheese sauce.
- Finish with the final 3 noodles, the rest of the meat sauce, and the last cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Insert 9-12 toothpicks into the lasagna’s surface to prevent the foil from sticking to the cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and broil for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
