My Favorite Lasagna: The Ultimate Comfort Food
Lasagna is the epitome of comfort food—layered with rich, savory sauce, melty cheese, and hearty pasta, it’s the kind of dish that brings people together. Whether you're serving it for a family dinner, holiday gathering, or just a cozy weeknight meal, lasagna never fails to satisfy. But when you find the perfect lasagna recipe, it's a game-changer. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with this My Favorite Lasagna recipe—an unbeatable combination of flavors and textures that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
At Kathryn Cooks, we believe that the best meals are the ones that bring joy and create lasting memories. This lasagna recipe is my all-time favorite because it balances all the classic flavors—tender noodles, savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and a generous amount of melted mozzarella—all perfectly layered into a beautiful, comforting dish.
So, if you're craving a hearty, satisfying meal that will please a crowd, this My Favorite Lasagna is just what you need.
Why You'll Love My Favorite Lasagna
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Layers of Flavor: The beauty of lasagna lies in its layers, and this recipe gets it just right. Each layer is packed with flavor, from the rich, meaty sauce to the creamy ricotta filling, all wrapped in tender pasta and gooey mozzarella. It's the perfect balance of ingredients in every bite.
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Hearty and Filling: Lasagna is the kind of dish that fills you up and leaves you feeling satisfied. The combination of pasta, cheese, and a flavorful meat sauce creates a comforting, hearty meal that will stick with you, making it great for feeding a crowd or for meal prep.
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Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly: One of the best things about lasagna is that it can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld together even more. You can prepare it in advance and either refrigerate it overnight or freeze it for later. It's a great option for busy nights when you want a homemade meal without all the last-minute work.
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Simple Ingredients, Delicious Results: This recipe uses classic, easy-to-find ingredients that you likely already have in your kitchen. Despite its simplicity, the combination of high-quality ingredients and the time spent layering and baking results in a mouthwatering dish.
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Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re feeding a family, hosting a dinner party, or bringing a dish to a potluck, lasagna is always a winner. It’s familiar and comforting, yet impressive enough to make any meal feel special.
How to Serve My Favorite Lasagna
Lasagna is a full meal on its own, but if you're looking to make it a complete spread, here are some great side dishes to pair with it:
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Garlic Bread: You can’t have lasagna without some crispy, buttery garlic bread to soak up that extra sauce. It’s the perfect sidekick to the cheesy, savory goodness of lasagna.
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Caesar Salad: A light, crisp salad with fresh romaine, Parmesan, and a tangy dressing balances the richness of the lasagna. The crunch of the salad adds a nice contrast to the creamy lasagna.
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Roasted Vegetables: Roasted vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or zucchini, are a great side dish to serve with lasagna. The sweetness and slight char of the roasted veggies pair wonderfully with the rich, cheesy layers of the lasagna.
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Wine Pairing: For an extra special touch, pair your lasagna with a glass of red wine, such as a Chianti, Sangiovese, or even a Cabernet Sauvignon. The acidity and depth of red wine beautifully complement the richness of the lasagna.
My Favorite Lasagna Recipe
Let’s dive into the recipe that’s going to become your new favorite, too!
My Favorite Lasagna
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Main Course
Servings
6
Prep Time
40 minutes
Cook Time
65 minutes
My Favorite Lasagna is a classic for a reason. It’s comforting, delicious, and always a crowd-pleaser. The layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese come together to create the ultimate dish that’s sure to make any meal feel special. Whether you’re making it for a family dinner or serving it at a gathering, this lasagna is a guaranteed hit.
So, the next time you’re craving something hearty and satisfying, give this recipe a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
Author:Kathryn Martens
Ingredients
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1 lb ground Italian sausage hot or mild
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1 lb lean ground beef
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½ cup white onion chopped
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4-5 cloves garlic minced
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24 oz pasta sauce bonus if it's homemade!
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2 tsp fennel seeds
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1 tsp red pepper flakes more or less to taste
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salt and pepper to taste
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16 oz ricotta cheese
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1 egg
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4 tbsp fresh parsley, minced or 1 tbsp dried
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salt to taste
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12-16 lasagna noodles, cooked follow box instructions on cooking
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¾ lb fresh mozzarella shredded
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¾ cup parmesan cheese grated or shredded
Meat Sauce
Ricotta Sauce
Other Ingredients
Directions
In a Dutch oven, brown sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat.
Stir in pasta sauce, fennel seeds and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
While sauce simmers, cook lasagna noodles as instructed on box. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375°.
To assemble: Spread a cup or so of meat sauce in the bottom of a lasagna dish. Arrange 3-4 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with ½ of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with ⅓ of the mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1 ½ cups meat sauce over mozzarella. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Finish by broiling for 3-4 mins if desired. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Recipe Note
Tips for the Best Lasagna
Use quality ingredients: Since lasagna has so few ingredients, quality matters! Use fresh mozzarella, real ricotta, and high-quality canned tomatoes for the best flavor.
Let it rest: After baking, allow the lasagna to rest for at least 10 minutes. This helps the layers set and makes slicing easier.
Freeze for later: Lasagna freezes beautifully! Make a double batch and freeze one for later. To freeze, assemble the lasagna but don’t bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you're ready to eat it, bake it straight from the freezer at 375°F for about 50-60 minutes.
Customize it: Want to make this vegetarian? Simply substitute the meat sauce with a hearty vegetable sauce or add spinach or mushrooms to the ricotta filling for added flavor and texture.