For the Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Lasagna Layers:
- 12 lasagna noodles (cooked according to package instructions)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and cook until the onion becomes translucent.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom. Add a layer of lasagna noodles on top.
- Spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by another layer of meat sauce. Continue layering with noodles, cheese mixture, and sauce until all the ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of noodles on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top layer.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy your hearty and cheesy lasagna!
This lasagna looks quite similar to the one in the image you shared—layers of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce baked to perfection! If you try it, I’m sure it’ll be a hit.