School has started back and families are returning to a more "normal" routine. I seem to be back in the kitchen more and less out by the BBQ already. We usually start off the school year with what my family thinks is the Best Homemade Lasagna ever!
Homemade Lasagna is a pan of lovin'. It's rich, warm, comforting and cheesy! Ooey Gooey Cheese is a win any day in our house. This comfort food is a perfect way to start the school year off right. Gotta get all those brain cells kicked back in ya know!
It all starts by simmering a pot Homemade Meat Sauce, nice and low and slow!! You are designing greatness here friends. Can't you smell that aroma? Every once in a while you just take a piece of bread and give it a dunk to make sure (Ya know someone has to be the taste tester)!
This sauce speaks my love language ya'll (I am sure you can't tell- wink wink)!! Italian Food is my Fav!! What about you?? Can you live without it?
So let's kick off this school year with a dish that speaks love to our families. And if you don't have kids in school or in the house, ya know everyone needs some lovin'!! My friends from Sunday Supper are here sharing some great back to school dinners. Make sure you check them out!
What you need for the Meat Sauce: CLICK HERE for MEAT SAUCE RECIPE
- Lean Ground Beef
- Italian sausage or ground pork
- yellow onion, diced
- garlic cloves, minced
- basil
- oregano
- crushed red pepper
- red wine
- crushed tomatoes
- petite diced tomatoes
- tomato paste
- white sugar
- salt & black pepper to taste
The filling and topping Ingredients
- large egg
- ricotta cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- Italian cheese blend
- heavy cream (optional)
- salt
- pepper
Now let's build these layers!
In a bowl mix together ricotta cheese, egg, cream, salt & pepper for filling.
Then mix 1 cup of mozzarella and 2 cups of the Italian cheese blend.
Layer a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9 X 13 deep dish or I used a 10 X 12. Then line a layer of no bake noodles, spread on the filling and sprinkle on ⅓ of the cheese. Next a layer of sauce. Repeat for three layers. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350°.
Remove foil and sprinkle on remaining 3 cups of mozzarella cheese.
Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden. I kept just a touch of the Italian cheese for the top today. Usually I put in all in the layers. That's why you see a little difference on the top! It tastes magical but it looks a little better to stick with the mozzarella on top!
Once baked remove from the oven and let it sit for about 15 minutes to set.
I hope your family has time to sit down and enjoy this! It's enough for a large family or lots of leftovers. It freezes well too. I like to freeze extras in individual serving sizes for nights when I'm out and the guys can warm up a "homemade tv dinner".
Or pop a serving in the microwave in the morning and warm up to put in a thermos for lunch. Another great option is to make two in a smaller casserole dish and take a meal to friend that needs some loving or freeze the entire other pan to make later.
What's your go to meal to take to someone? It's such a blessing to take a meal to someone who may have had surgery, had a baby, lost a loved one or just may need a smiling friend to lift their spirits.
Homemade Lasagna
Ingredients
Meat Sauce
Filling and Topping
- 16 ounce ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Italian cheese blend, shredded
- ½ cup heavy cream, optional
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 ½ packages no boil lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Make Homemade Meat Sauce or use your favorite jarred sauce. When making a jarred sauce I use a 48 ounce and two 24 ounce jars with ground beef and pork.
- In a bowl mix together ricotta cheese, egg, cream, salt & pepper for filling.
- Mix together in a bowl 1 cup of mozzarella and 2 cups of the Italian cheese blend.
- Layer a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of a 9 X 13 deep dish (a 10 X 12 dish was used in picture). Then line a layer of no bake noodles, spread on the filling and sprinkle on ⅓ of the cheese. Next a layer of sauce. Repeat for three layers. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350°.
- Remove foil and sprinkle on remaining 3 cups of mozzarella cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake another 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
- Remove from oven and let set for 10 to 15 minutes.
✱ Nikki's Tips
Nutrition
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Cindy @CindysRecipesAndWritings says
Make ahead lasagna can be a lifesaver!
[email protected] says
Cindy, yes it can!! 🙂
Allison Miller says
Is there anything more rewarding and delicious than homemade lasagna?! So good!
[email protected] says
Thank you Allison! I so agree! It's a labor of love 🙂
Hadia says
You lasagna look really so good, comfort food at its best!
[email protected] says
Thank you Hadia!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed says
Lasagna is the best!
Kristen M Chidsey says
I have never put heavy cream in my lasagna before, I must try that.
[email protected] says
It's just an added touch I put in! My daughter didn't like ricotta so I tried to trick her once and we all liked it 😉
Art from My Table says
Lasagna is one of those dishes that is hard to tire of! Yours looks so cheesy and delicious!
[email protected] says
Thank you so much! I agree it's so delicious we can eat it a couple of days!
Hezzi-D says
I love lasagna! It's great because I can make it once and eat for several days!
[email protected] says
Me too! It's great for leftovers!
Caroline says
Lasagna is always a favorite!
Liz says
I love using no-bake noodles! Saves SO much time! Your lasagna looks incredible!!
[email protected] says
Thank you Liz! I love using them to cut back on time and they taste great too!
Denise Wright says
I love lasagna and yours looks fabulous! I especially love lasagna leftovers! Can't wait to try this.
[email protected] says
Thank you Denise! It's always a hit! And even better left over!