🍽️ Servings
6–8 servings
⏱️ Total Time
- Preparation: 25 minutes
- Cooking: 40–45 minutes
- Total: About 1 hour 15 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz / 680 g) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 can (14–15 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) lasagna noodles
- Water for boiling
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Topping
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley or Italian seasoning, optional
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil. This will prevent the casserole from sticking.
Step 2: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
Add about 1 teaspoon of salt, then carefully add the lasagna noodles.
Cook according to the package instructions until they are al dente—tender but still slightly firm.
Don’t overcook them because the noodles will continue cooking in the oven.
Drain the noodles and rinse them briefly with cool water. Lay them separately on a plate or baking sheet so they don’t stick together.
Tip: You can also use oven-ready lasagna noodles if you prefer. In that case, skip this boiling step.
Step 3: Make the Meat Sauce
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until it begins to soften.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the ground beef.
Break the beef apart with a wooden spoon and cook for approximately 6–8 minutes, until completely browned.
If there is a lot of excess grease, carefully drain it from the pan.
Step 4: Add the Tomato Sauce
Add the following to the cooked beef:
- Marinara sauce
- Crushed tomatoes
- Tomato paste
- Italian seasoning
- Oregano
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Red pepper flakes, if using
Stir everything together.
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Reduce the heat to low and cook for approximately 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
This allows the flavors to combine and gives you a rich, flavorful meat sauce.
Taste the sauce and adjust the salt or seasonings if necessary.
Step 5: Prepare the Cheese Mixture
In a medium-sized bowl, combine:
- Ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ½ cup Parmesan
- 1½ cups mozzarella
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Black pepper
Mix until everything is well combined.
The egg helps the cheese mixture set nicely while baking.
🧀 Step 6: Start Building the Casserole
Spread a thin layer of meat sauce over the bottom of your greased baking dish.
This prevents the noodles from sticking and gives the bottom layer plenty of flavor.
Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
Don’t worry if the noodles don’t fit perfectly. You can cut them or slightly overlap them.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Spread approximately ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
Use the back of a spoon or spatula to spread it as evenly as possible.
Then add another layer of meat sauce.
Step 8: Repeat the Layers
Continue layering in this order:
Noodles → Cheese mixture → Meat sauce
Repeat until you have used most of your ingredients.
Try to finish with a layer of meat sauce on top.
This keeps the noodles moist while baking.
🧀 Step 9: Add Lots of Mozzarella
Spread the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the mozzarella.
For extra flavor, sprinkle a little dried parsley or Italian seasoning over the top.
At this point, you should have a thick, cheesy layer covering the entire casserole.
🔥 Step 10: Bake the Lasagna Casserole
Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil.
Try not to let the foil press directly against the cheese.
Place the casserole in the preheated 375°F (190°C) oven.
Bake covered for approximately 25 minutes.
Then carefully remove the foil.
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes.
The cheese should be completely melted and bubbling.
For a beautifully browned top, you can turn on the broiler for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Watch it carefully during broiling because mozzarella can burn quickly.
⏳ Step 11: Let It Rest
This step is important!
Remove the lasagna casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before cutting.
Resting allows the cheese and sauce to settle, so the slices hold together better.
If you cut it immediately, the layers may slide apart.
🍴 Step 12: Serve
Cut the casserole into squares and serve warm.
For an extra cheesy serving, add a little freshly grated Parmesan on top.
Great Side Dishes
Serve your lasagna casserole with:
- 🥖 Garlic bread
- 🥗 Caesar salad
- 🥦 Roasted broccoli
- 🥬 Green salad
- 🍅 Tomato and cucumber salad
- 🧄 Garlic knots
⭐ Tips for the Best Lasagna Casserole
Use freshly shredded mozzarella. It generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Don’t make the sauce too dry. Lasagna needs plenty of sauce to keep the noodles tender.
Don’t overcook the noodles. Al dente noodles work best because they finish cooking in the oven.
Let it rest before serving. Give it at least 10 minutes so you get cleaner, more attractive slices.
Want it extra cheesy? Add another ½–1 cup mozzarella between the layers.
Want a richer flavor? Replace some of the ground beef with Italian sausage.
Want vegetables? Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers to the meat sauce.
🧊 Storage
Store leftover lasagna casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
To reheat, cover a portion with foil or a microwave-safe cover and heat until hot throughout.
You can also freeze individual portions for an easy future meal.