Oven Baked Lasagna
Classic layered lasagna with a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and bubbly mozzarella baked to golden perfection that feeds the whole family and then some.
- Cook temp
- 375°F
- 190°C · preheat
- Total time
- 75 min
- 25 prep · 50 cook · 15 rest
- Pull at
- 160°F
- USDA safe minimum
- Rest
- 15 min
- Before slicing
Beef Lasagna Recipe | Easy Dinner | - Natasha's Kitchen · Natashas Kitchen
Natasha Kravchuk shows how to layer rich meat sauce, ricotta egg filling, and shredded mozzarella before baking covered in foil.
- Target //Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 75 mins.
- Doneness //Pull when internal temperature reaches 160°F (USDA safe minimum). Rest 15 mins before slicing.
- Golden Rule //Lasagna is the ultimate make-ahead meal. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, and just pop it in the oven. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if going straight from the fridge. Leftovers are even better the next day.
- Family Tweak //Most kids love lasagna as-is. For picky eaters, use plain ground beef without Italian sausage and mild marinara.
Ingredients
- 1 lbGround Beef
- 1 lbItalian Sausage
- 24 ozMarinara Sauce
- 15 ozRicotta Cheese
- 2 cupsMozzarella Cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cupParmesan Cheese, grated
- 1 largeEgg
- 12 sheetsNo-Boil Lasagna Noodles
- 3 clovesGarlic Cloves, minced
- 2 tspItalian Seasoning
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Get to the point
- 1
Brown 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb Italian sausage with garlic and Italian seasoning; stir in 24 oz marinara sauce.
- 2
Mix ricotta with egg, 1/2 cup parmesan, and Italian seasoning for the cheese layer.
- 3
Layer: sauce, no-boil noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella. Repeat 3 times, ending with sauce and mozzarella on top.
- 4
Bake covered at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes, uncover and bake 15 more minutes until bubbly and golden. Rest 15 minutes.
Step by step
Tap a step to cross it offMake the Meat Sauce
Brown 1 lb ground beef and 1 lb Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking into crumbles. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 24 oz marinara sauce. Simmer 5 minutes and set aside.
WhyUsing both ground beef and Italian sausage gives you depth of flavor that all-beef lasagna just cannot match.
Mix the Ricotta Filling
In a bowl, combine 15 oz ricotta cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth and evenly combined.
WhyThe egg in the ricotta mixture helps it set up so the slices hold together instead of collapsing into a cheesy puddle.
Layer & Build
Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Layer no-boil lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce, and 1/3 of 2 cups shredded mozzarella. Repeat layers two more times. Top with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and a sprinkle of parmesan.
WhyNo-boil noodles absorb liquid from the sauce as they bake, which is why the sauce needs to be on the saucy side.
Bake & Rest
Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes. Remove foil and bake 15 more minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for 15 minutes before cutting. This rest is critical for clean slices.
WhyThe 15-minute rest is not optional. Cut too early and you get lasagna soup. Wait and you get perfect sliceable layers.
- Dad pro tip
- Lasagna is the ultimate make-ahead meal. Assemble it the night before, refrigerate, and just pop it in the oven. Add 10 minutes to the bake time if going straight from the fridge. Leftovers are even better the next day.
- Kid & toddler adjustment
- Most kids love lasagna as-is. For picky eaters, use plain ground beef without Italian sausage and mild marinara.
- Serve with
- Garlic bread · Caesar salad · Steamed broccoli
- Reheating
- Reheat individual slices in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15 minutes or microwave covered for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Calories
- 520
- Protein
- 35 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 28 g
Nutrition source: USDA FoodData Central #174927. Cook-time basis: Standard oven at 375°F (190°C). No-boil noodles for simplicity. Internal temperature verification to 160°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you reheat leftover oven baked lasagna without ruining the texture?
Reheat individual slices in a 350°F (177°C) oven for 15 minutes or microwave covered for 2 to 3 minutes.
What is the target internal temperature for this recipe?
Confirm internal core temperature reaches 160°F using an instant-read digital probe thermometer inserted into the thickest part. Allow the meat to rest for 15 minutes before slicing to let carryover heat equalize and lock in juices.
How do I adapt this meal for picky kids or toddlers?
Most kids love lasagna as-is. For picky eaters, use plain ground beef without Italian sausage and mild marinara.
What are the best side dishes to serve with this?
Recommended sides include Garlic bread, Caesar salad, Steamed broccoli.