Grandma’s Divine Italian Lasagna Recipe
Grandma’s Divine Italian Lasagna is a classic, hearty Italian dish featuring layers of flavorful marinara sauce, savory ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy ricotta cheese blended with egg and Parmesan, and melted mozzarella, all baked to golden perfection. This comforting main course makes a perfect family dinner or special occasion meal, delivering rich, authentic flavors in every slice.
- Author: Dana
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Meat and Sauce
- 9 lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular)
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or sweet)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided, half for cheese mixture, half for topping)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Herbs
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until fully cooked, stirring occasionally to break up the meat and ensure even cooking.
- Add Sauce and Simmer: Pour in the marinara sauce with the cooked meat, reduce heat to low, and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth and creamy.
- Layer Lasagna: In a baking dish, start layering by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom, then layer noodles, followed by the ricotta cheese mixture, shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkle of fresh basil. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to cook the noodles and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes after baking to set, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles for quicker preparation and easier layering.
- If using regular noodles, cook them according to package instructions before layering.
- Adjust the spiciness of the sausage according to your preference.
- Fresh basil adds brightness; feel free to substitute or add Italian seasoning.
- Letting the lasagna rest post-baking helps with cleaner slicing and better flavor melding.
Keywords: Italian lasagna, baked lasagna, ground beef lasagna, Italian sausage recipe, classic lasagna, layered pasta dish, comfort food, family dinner