Go Back

The Best Lasagna

A delicious, cheesy, hearty lasagna made with a flavorful, slow-simmered meat sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 8
Course: Dinner
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1 Onion diced
  • 3 Garlic Cloves minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (or use whole San Marzano tomatoes and blend them)
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp white vinegar
  • 1 cup beef broth
Seasonings for Meat Sauce
  • 1/2 tsp Sage
  • 1/2 tsp Thyme
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp sugar
Cheese Mixture
  • 1.5 cup cottage cheese
  • 1.5 cup ricotta cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • ½ tsp salt
Additional Ingredients
  • 2-3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 Package Lasagna noodles oven-ready or boiled, your preference

Method
 

Make the Sauce
  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and pork with 1 tsp salt. Cook until browned.
  2. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until soft, then drain excess fat.
  3. Stir tomato paste and seasonings into the meat (oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, maple syrup, vinegar) Let those cook together for a minute or two.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, crushed and diced tomatoes, beef broth and sugar and remaining 1 tsp of salt.
  5. Simmer uncovered (or lid slightly ajar) on low heat for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until sauce is rich and thick. Adjust salt to taste.
Prepare Cheese Mixture
  1. In a bowl, mix together cottage cheese, ricotta, Parmesan, 1 tsp oregano, parsley, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
Assemble the Lasagna
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a 9x13 baking dish, layer in this order:
  3. Lasagna noodles
  4. 1 cup meat sauce
  5. 1 cup cheese mixture
  6. Mozzarella cheese
  7. Repeat for 3 layers, finishing with mozzarella on top.
Bake
  1. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. If you don't like it extra crispy, cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and browned.
  2. Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.