Best Homemade Lasagna with Fresh Ingredients

Welcome to a celebration of flavors with the Best Homemade Lasagna made from fresh ingredients! Crafted with love, each layer unfolds a story of savory homemade meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and freshly grated mozzarella and parmesan. Baked to perfection, this lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, proving that a little time in the kitchen can result in a dish that resonates with warmth, comfort, and the unadulterated joy of home cooking.

Ingredients

Lasagna is an effortless Italian delight to relish at any mealtime of the week. To create a scrumptious homemade lasagna, you will require several necessary ingredients. Here is a checklist of all the components you need for the most delicious lasagna ever! Noodles, cheese – you name it!

• Noodles
• Cheese
• Tomato sauce
• Ground beef
• Garlic
• Onion
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt
• Pepper

Lasagna noodles

Lasagna noodles are the base for this Italian dish. Instead of buying pre-packaged noodles, you can make your own.

To create al dente pasta, mix flour, eggs, salt and a few drops of olive oil in a bowl. Knead the dough until it forms. Then, roll it out onto a floured surface. Flatten it with your hands and cut into pieces that fit your pan. Let them rest for 30 minutes before using them in your dish.

Ground beef

Ground beef is the star of many lasagna recipes. It adds flavor and cooks fast. Select beef with more fat. Fat adds flavor and keeps the beef moist. If you want leaner beef, add seasonings like garlic, oregano, and Italian herbs while cooking.

Cook the beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. Break up the meat with a spoon or spatula. This will help distribute flavor. Once cooked, drain off any excess fat with a colander or spoon. Add it to other ingredients for a tasty lasagna.

Tomato sauce

A delicious lasagna starts with a tasty tomato sauce. To make it, you’ll need tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, and oregano.

Heat extra-virgin olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Then, add in the tomatoes and let it simmer. Don’t rush – let it take its time for the flavors to blend. Once the sauce is done, you can start assembling your lasagna. Yum!

Ricotta cheese

Ricotta cheese is a must in a delicious lasagna! It adds a creamy texture, and its subtle flavor allows the other ingredients to pop. Get a good-quality ricotta—check the label to ensure it contains whole milk, salt, and citric acid. It comes in various forms: regular, fat free, and even veggie-based. But make sure it’s fresh—avoid anything past its expiry date.

To prepare your ricotta, put it in a bowl and stir it until smooth with either a hand mixer or whisk. You can add extra seasonings like garlic powder, oregano, and parsley; but these are optional because ricotta has a mild taste. When your lasagna is ready to layer, use the ricotta. It will give your homemade lasagna a velvety texture that store-bought varieties can’t achieve!

Mozzarella cheese

Homemade lasagna is special! For incredible results, mozzarella cheese is essential. It adds creaminess to the dish, plus flavor. Mozzarella is a soft white cheese from southern Italy. It’s used in Italian dishes like pizza and lasagna.

Milk curds are heated until melted. Then, they are strained through a cloth-lined colander. Afterwards, they are cooled and pressed into blocks. After that, they are salted and sold in supermarkets.

For delicious lasagna, use fresh mozzarella! Packaged types can be rubbery when cooked. Fresh mozzarella should be moist but firm. It should look white and milky, with a mild flavor. Its creamy center melts into yummy goodness when cooked.

You can find fresh mozzarella in most grocery stores near the deli counter. Or you can make it at home with cow’s milk or store-bought cultured dairy products, such as yogurt or kefir cheese.

Parmesan cheese

Parmesan cheese is a must-have for a tasty homemade lasagna. It’s made from skimmed or partially skimmed cow’s milk. This hard, salty cheese has a sharp flavor and an amazing aroma. It’s been called the “King of Cheeses” since 1597! It’s a staple in Italian cooking due to its unique flavor and texture.

When buying Parmesan cheese, look for wedges aged 12 months. Aged cheese has the most intense flavor, adding depth to your lasagna without being too salty. Make sure to finely grate it so it melts quickly when baking for delicious results!

Garlic

Garlic is an absolute must for a yummy homemade lasagna. Get heads that are firm and all cloves intact. Peel off each clove’s outer paper skin. Then, chop the garlic into small pieces.

For an even stronger flavor, puree or grate the garlic. No time to use fresh? Garlic powder or paste will do. Whichever way you choose to include garlic in your lasagna, its flavor is sure to make all the other ingredients even tastier.

Onion

Onion is key in making lasagna at home. It gives the dish flavor and complexity. Peel and cut your onions into cubes. You can use yellow, white, or even sweet Vidalia onions. Remember the cubes will cook quickly.

For a sweeter lasagna, try sautéing the onion cubes in olive oil first. This will caramelize the sugars and bring out the flavor.

When you’ve chopped and sautéed, add the onions to your homemade lasagna! Enjoy!

Preparation

Cook experts comprehend that a homemade lasagna success starts with the appropriate prepping. Pick the finest noodles and prep the ingredients with care. Look after the details to make your lasagna the tastiest ever.

Let’s talk about what goes into readying the lasagna before cooking:

Preheat oven to 350°F

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Gather all ingredients, like lasagna noodles, ricotta, mozzarella cheese, and ground beef. If you want a vegetarian version, use veggies like zucchini and spinach instead. Also, you’ll need a large pan and foil or non-stick oil spray to cover it.

Prep time!

• Boil lasagna noodles until al dente.
• Brown the meat and drain fat. Add seasoning and tomato sauce/paste.
• Combine drained pasta with ricotta cheese/veggies, and then add cooked meat as the last layer.
• Top with mozzarella cheese.
• Wrap pan tightly with foil and carefully place in oven.
• Bake for 30-40 minutes until cheese melts, and edges bubble.

Serve warm when heated through and browned around edges. Enjoy!

Brown ground beef

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spoon or spatula. Once cooked through and no longer pink, reduce the heat to low. Add garlic, onion powder and seasonings. Stir occasionally for 10 mins until all moisture evaporates. Move the mixture to a bowl and set aside. This adds extra flavor to the lasagna filling!

Now you’re ready to make a delicious homemade lasagna!

Add garlic and onion to the beef

Add a little olive oil to a pan, and cook diced onion and garlic. Simmer until softened – this could take 5-10 minutes. Then, add the minced beef. Stir until it is cooked – about 8-10 minutes. The onion and garlic will give your lasagna a unique flavor.

Once the meat is cooked, assemble the lasagna layers.

Add tomato sauce and simmer

Ingredients prepped? Now’s the time to construct your homemade lasagna!

Put tomato sauce into a 9×13 inch baking pan. Make sure the sauce covers the bottom evenly. Add Italian Seasoning and Salt & Pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes. After that, you can add extra ingredients.

Grease a 9×13 baking dish

Grease your 9×13 baking dish before you make your lasagna. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Oil or butter it with a paper towel or brush. This will stop the lasagna from sticking. Make sure every surface is evenly coated before adding ingredients.

Layer lasagna noodles in the dish

Spray a large baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Begin by laying down lasagna noodles, either length-wise or width-wise. For a 9×13 pan, use around 4 to 6 noodles. Break them into pieces if needed. Sprinkle the lasagna sheets with grated Parmesan cheese. Add enough sauce to lightly cover them. Use a spoon or spatula to spread it evenly. You are now ready for the next layer!

Spread ricotta cheese over the noodles

Toss the cooked lasagna noodles in a shallow pan.

Take a spoonful of ricotta cheese and dollop it into each noodle. Spread it out with the back of the spoon to create an even layer on top of each noodle. Make sure each one is well-covered. Continue until all noodles are covered.

This will help create a creamy layer. It will hold in flavor and moisture. Take time for each step and be sure all are completely covered. The success of your lasagna depends on this!

Top with ground beef mixture

Top the final layer of noodles with the beef mixture. Spread it evenly, but leave gaps for cheese. Use a leaf blender or spatula to spread half a cup of ricotta cheese mixed with herbs. Sprinkle ¾ cup of Parmesan and Mozzarella. Add an even layer of cooked lasagna noodles. Pour one cup of marinara sauce over the dish. Let it sit 10 minutes before baking at 350F (177C) for 25 minutes.

Enjoy your Homemade Lasagna! The Best You’ll Ever Taste!

Sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese

Once layers are all together, sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Mozzarella should be spread evenly for delicious creaminess and a golden color. Put some parmesan on each layer for extra flavor. Leave some cheese for later to top the lasagna.

Now it’s ready for baking – homemade lasagna!

Baking

Lasagna – yum! But, oh so daunting to create. Ready for a challenge? You’ll need the right ingredients.

1. Layer them all up
2. Bake it in the oven

Kitchen skill and baking knowledge are necessary. Let’s take a deeper look.

Bake lasagna in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the lasagna dish on a baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. The cheese should be golden brown and bubbling. It should not look wet or glossy. To prevent it from becoming too soggy, remove some moisture during baking.

• Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil for 20 minutes during baking, then uncover and finish baking.
• Once fully baked and golden brown, take out the oven and cool 15-20 minutes before serving.

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes

After baking lasagna for 30 minutes, take it out of the oven. Let it cool for 10 minutes. This will help the cheese and ingredients set. It will give a great mouth-feel. It also helps prevent injuries from hot cheese or sauce. If you cut into a warm lasagna too soon, there is a risk of ingredients spilling out. Wait at least 10 minutes before enjoying this homemade dish!

Serve and enjoy!

Your lasagna’s cooked and delicious! Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cut yourself a square or rectangle. Put the lasagna dish on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Take it out and let it cool. Serve with salad or garlic bread. Bon Appetit!

Frequently Asked Questions