Description
This Baked Lasagna Recipe Ricotta is a classic comfort dish with creamy ricotta, layers of rich meat sauce, and gooey melted cheese. It’s easy to make, family-friendly, and perfect for meal prep. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy dinner or a special occasion, this lasagna is sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Ricotta Mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional, for extra depth)
Other Layers:
- 12 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or boiled)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep – Set oven to 375°F (190°C). If using regular lasagna noodles, cook according to package directions and drain well.
- Make the Meat Sauce – In a large skillet, cook the ground beef with onions and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture – In a bowl, mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Layer the Lasagna – Spread ½ cup of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 3 noodles, then ⅓ of the ricotta, ¼ of the meat sauce, and ¼ of the mozzarella. Repeat until all layers are built, finishing with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake & Rest – Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- For a creamier texture: Mix ½ cup heavy cream into the ricotta mixture.
- Make it vegetarian: Swap ground meat for sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
- Prevent watery lasagna: Drain ricotta before mixing and let lasagna cool before cutting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Baked Lasagna Recipe Ricotta, creamy lasagna, homemade lasagna