Classic Pasta Lasagna

Name: Classic Pasta Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 105 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 500 g ground beef; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; 800 g canned crushed tomatoes; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 500 g ricotta cheese; 1 egg (beaten); 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 375 g no-boil lasagna noodles; 500 g mozzarella cheese (sliced)

105 min 8 servings Medium

All Recipes

A hearty and delicious pasta lasagna recipe with layers of cheesy, saucy goodness.

Prep

30 min

Cook

60 min

Total

105 min

Servings

Difficulty

Medium

Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying leftovers throughout the week. This classic pasta lasagna recipe is rich with layers of flavourful meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This recipe works beautifully because it strikes the right balance between sauce, cheese, and pasta. It's perfect for anyone looking to master a traditional Italian dish that's always a hit at family dinners and gatherings.

Instructions

Prepare the meat sauce

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté until softened. Add ground beef, cook until browned. Stir in oregano, basil, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Pro tip: Ensure the meat sauce is well-seasoned for a flavourful lasagna.

Prepare the ricotta mixture

In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, beaten egg, Parmesan cheese, and parsley until well combined.

Pro tip: Use fresh parsley for the best flavour.

Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Assemble the lasagna

In a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce. Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by a layer of ricotta mixture and a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with mozzarella on top.

Pro tip: Press down gently after each layer to compact the ingredients.

Bake the lasagna

Cover the dish with aluminium foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Pro tip: Let the lasagna rest before cutting to help it set.

Rest and serve

Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Pro tip: Resting helps the layers to hold together when serving.

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Tips & Tricks

Use no-boil noodles to save time.
Let the lasagna rest before cutting.
Fresh herbs enhance the flavour.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is pasta lasagna?

Pasta lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, meat sauce, ricotta cheese, and mozzarella, baked to perfection.

How many calories are in pasta lasagna?

This pasta lasagna recipe contains approximately 450 calories per serving.

Can I use fresh pasta for lasagna?

Yes, fresh pasta can be used for lasagna, but you may need to adjust the cooking time as fresh pasta cooks faster.

How long should lasagna rest before serving?

Lasagna should rest for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Can I freeze pasta lasagna?

Yes, pasta lasagna can be frozen for up to three months. Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your pasta lasagna with a simple green salad and a slice of garlic bread to complete the meal. This dish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to three months. Just reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) until warmed through.