🇮🇹 Usha’s Classic Baked Lasagna

This Classic Italian Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food—layer after layer of perfectly cooked noodles, rich beef and sausage, creamy ricotta, fresh basil, and melted mozzarella, all brought together with bold, Rao's marinara. Topped with fresh tomatoes and a golden crust of Parmesan, it’s hearty, flavorful, and sure to become a family favorite. Whether you're making it for a cozy Sunday dinner or feeding a crowd, this baked lasagna delivers big, cheesy satisfaction every time.

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 75 mins

Rest Time 15 mins

Total Time 2 hrs

Cooking Method: Oven-Baked

Cuisine: American, Italian

Courses: Dinner, Main Course

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cooking Temp: 375 C

Servings: 12

Best Season: Winter, Fall

Description

This isn’t just lasagna—it’s love layered in a baking dish.
This Classic Lasagna brings together everything you crave: a deeply savory mix of ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy ricotta kissed with fresh basil, and melty mozzarella all tucked between sheets of perfectly cooked pasta. Rao’s Marinara gives the dish a crips freshness while fresh tomatoes and a bubbling Parmesan topping finish it with a burst of brightness and crunch. It’s bold. It’s nostalgic. It’s the kind of meal that brings people to the table and keeps them coming back for seconds.

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb PAN sausage (mild or spicy)
48 oz Raos Marinara Sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes (optional)

For the Cheese Filling:

24 oz ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1 cup Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt & pepper to taste

For Layering:

16 oz lasagna noodles (boiled & drained)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3 fresh tomatoes (each cut into 4 slices)
2 oz Parmesan Cheese (for garnish)
1 Tbsp basil (for garnish)

Instructions

Make the Meat Sauce:

1
Heat large skillet over medium heat.
2
Then add ground beef and sausage, Italian seasoning, salt , pepper and red pepper flakes. Cook until browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat and set aside.

Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:

3
In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and set aside.
4
Cook the Noodles :
5
Boil lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside on parchment or a lightly oiled surface.

Assemble the Lasagna:

6
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
7
In a 9x13" baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce.
8
Add a layer of noodles, then meat, then sauce, then mozrella , then noodles , then ricotta mixture, and sauce, and mozzarella.
9
Repeat layers Noodles,meat,sauce,mozrella,anda again noodles, ricotta, sauce, and mozzarella.
10
Finish with a layer of noodles if available and , remaining sauce, mozzarella, fresh tomato slices, and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan.

Bake:

11
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 60minutes. Remove foil and bake another 15 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 688.45kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 39.14g61%
Saturated Fat 19.82g100%
Trans Fat 0.66g
Cholesterol 159.91mg54%
Sodium 1290.35mg54%
Potassium 887.06mg26%
Total Carbohydrate 44.8g15%
Dietary Fiber 3.91g16%
Sugars 8.41g
Protein 38.32g77%

Vitamin A 280.42 IU
Vitamin C 6.59 mg
Calcium 641.67 mg
Iron 2.85 mg
Vitamin D 0.92 IU
Vitamin E 3.48 IU
Vitamin K 25.96 mcg
Thiamin 0.15 mg
Riboflavin 0.58 mg
Niacin 8.07 mg
Vitamin B6 0.54 mg
Folate 41.2 mcg
Vitamin B12 2.09 mcg
Phosphorus 627.85 mg
Magnesium 84.72 mg
Zinc 4.99 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

https://ushaskitchen.com https://ushaskitchen.com/recipe/ushas-classic-baked-lasagna/

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