Description
This classic San Giorgio Lasagna recipe layers savory ground beef and Italian sausage with a rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, and melty mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfectly baked until bubbly and golden, it’s a comforting Italian-American main course ideal for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (optional)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce or 3 cups homemade marinara
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Assembly
- 1 box San Giorgio® lasagna noodles (uncooked)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Meat Sauce: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and Italian sausage (if using) along with the finely chopped onion until the meat is browned and fully cooked. Drain off excess fat, add minced garlic, and cook for an additional minute. Stir in pasta sauce and allow to simmer gently for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Mix Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange 3 to 4 uncooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread one-third of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat these layers two more times: sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Finish by topping with the remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with the last mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Bake Lasagna: Cover the assembled dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing to allow it to set for easier serving and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- You can use no-boil lasagna noodles according to package directions, or boil regular noodles for about 8 minutes prior to layering.
- For extra flavor, consider using a blend of Italian cheeses or adding spinach to the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Make sure to let the lasagna rest after baking to achieve clean slices and to let the flavors meld perfectly.
