Best Homemade Lasagna Recipe | How to Make Lasagna Step by Step
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling a bubbling lasagna dish out of the oven. The kind where the corners are slightly crispy, the cheese stretches unapologetically, and everyone suddenly shows up in the kitchen.
This lasagna recipe is not rushed, just solid, classic, and worth every layer. If you’ve ever wondered how to make lasagna that tastes like effort (in a good way), this is it.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade Lasagna
For the Meat Sauce
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1 lb ground beef
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1 lb Italian sausage
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1 onion, finely diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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28 oz marinara sauce
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6 oz tomato paste
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Cooking spray
For the Cheese Filling
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15 oz ricotta cheese
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1 egg, beaten
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½ cup grated parmesan
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2 tbsp fresh parsley
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½ tsp salt
The Rest
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12 lasagna noodles
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4 cups shredded mozzarella
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½ cup extra parmesan (for topping)
These are classic lasagna ingredients.
How to Make Lasagna Step by Step Process
Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce
Heat a large pan or Dutch oven. Brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Halfway through, add the onion and garlic.
Once cooked, drain excess fat. Stir in tomato paste and let it cook for 2 minutes. It deepens the flavour. Add marinara sauce, reduce heat, and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Cheese Filling
In a bowl, mix ricotta, beaten egg, parmesan, parsley, and salt until smooth.
The egg is the quiet hero here, it helps the layers hold together so your lasagna dish slices clean instead of collapsing.
Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
Boil lasagna noodles in salted water for about 8 minutes, slightly undercooked is perfect.
Drain and rinse with cold water. This stops cooking and prevents sticking.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna Layers
Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and follow this order:
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Base: 1 cup meat sauce
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Noodles: 3–4 noodles, slightly overlapping
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Cheese: ⅓ ricotta mixture
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Mozzarella: 1 cup
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Sauce: 1 cup meat sauce
Repeat this layering three times.
Finish with noodles, remaining sauce, and a generous topping of mozzarella + parmesan.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
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Cover loosely with foil (spray it so cheese doesn’t stick)
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Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes
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Uncover and bake another 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden
Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips for Perfect Homemade Lasagna
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Avoid mushy lasagna: If using no-boil noodles, thin your sauce with ½ cup water
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Make ahead friendly: Assemble the dish a day early; bake when needed
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Fresh finish: Basil or parsley on top just before serving
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Crowd cooking: This lasagna dish feeds well and reheats beautifully
Why This Homemade Lasagna Recipe Always Works
This isn’t a rushed weeknight pasta. This is a proper lasagna recipe, balanced sauce, creamy layers, and enough structure to slice cleanly. Once you master this, you’ll never ask Google how to make lasagna again.
Final Slice: A Classic Homemade Lasagna Worth Mastering
Lasagna is comfort food, yes, but it doesn’t have to be predictable. Once you’ve mastered this classic lasagna recipe, feel free to play a little. A drizzle of Habanero’s Sriracha Chilli Sauce over your slice (or stirred lightly into the meat sauce) adds a gentle heat that cuts through the richness beautifully. Not overpowering, just enough to wake things up.
Because sometimes, the best lasagna isn’t just layered with cheese and sauce, it’s layered with a little personality too.
