Lasagna

Lasagna 😋 — here’s a classic, reliable meat lasagna you can make at home, plus a few easy variations.

Classic Meat Lasagna (Serves 6–8)

Ingredients

Meat sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef (or beef/pork mix)
• 800 g (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt & pepper to taste

Cheese layer

• 450 g (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan
• Salt & pepper

Other

• Lasagna noodles (about 9–12)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella

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Instructions

1. Make the sauce
   Heat oil, sauté onion until soft. Add garlic (30 sec), then meat. Brown well.
   Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer 20–30 min.
2. Prepare cheese mix
   Mix ricotta, egg, Parmesan, salt, and pepper until smooth.
3. Cook noodles
   Boil until just al dente (or use no-boil noodles).
4. Assemble
   • Sauce
   • Noodles
   • Ricotta mixture
   • Mozzarella
     Repeat layers, finishing with sauce + mozzarella.
5. Bake
   Cover with foil and bake at 180°C / 350°F for 30 min.
   Uncover and bake 15 more minutes until bubbly.
6. Rest
   Let sit 10–15 minutes before cutting (important!).

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Easy Variations

• Vegetarian: Replace meat with sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach
• White lasagna: Use béchamel instead of tomato sauce
• Extra rich: Add a layer of béchamel and ricotta
• Spicy: Use Italian sausage and chili flakes

If you want vegetarian, no-oven, authentic Italian, or quick weeknight lasagna, tell me which style you want.