Name: Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (15-20% fat content); 1 medium onion, finely diced; 2 large garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 cup dry red wine or beef broth; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 24 oz marinara sauce (3 cups); 1/2 tsp sea salt; 1/4 tsp ground black pepper; 1/4 tsp dried thyme; 1/2 tsp granulated sugar; 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped; 9 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente; 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese; 15 oz reduced fat ricotta cheese; 1 large egg; 2 Tbsp parsley, finely chopped, plus more to garnish; 4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 8 reviews

If you’re craving a hearty, comforting dish that brings everyone to the table smiling, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m excited to share my Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe—a fan-freaking-tastic homemade lasagna that’s juicy, cheesy, and super satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, this recipe combines rich meat sauce with creamy cheese layers that melt beautifully after baking. Stick with me because I’ll walk you through every step for that perfect slice that’s worth every minute in the kitchen!

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Why This Recipe Works

Balanced Meat Sauce: Combining ground beef, onion, garlic, and a splash of red wine creates a deeply savory and aromatic base.
Creamy Cheese Blend: Cottage cheese, ricotta, and mozzarella come together to form the lush, dreamy filling everyone loves.
Layered Perfection: Al dente noodles layered with sauce and cheese melt together into a cohesive, sliceable masterpiece.
Finishing Touch: Broiling the top for a few minutes gives you that golden, bubbly cheese crust that’s irresistible.

Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna, homemade meat lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna, hearty lasagna recipe, family favorite lasagna - A white rectangular baking dish holds a thick lasagna with about five layers visible; the bottom layer is flat orange pasta sheets, followed by a rich dark brown meat sauce, then another layer of pasta, meat sauce, and a top layer covered in melted golden cheese with brown spots. Small bits of fresh green parsley are sprinkled evenly on top, adding a fresh touch. The dish sits on a red and white checkered cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe starts with simple, quality ingredients that come together perfectly for hearty flavor and satisfying texture. I always recommend choosing fresh herbs and a good-quality marinara—you’ll notice the difference instantly.

Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna, homemade meat lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna, hearty lasagna recipe, family favorite lasagna - Flat lay of fresh ground beef in a neat mound, one medium diced onion in small white ceramic bowl, two whole uncracked brown garlic cloves, a small white bowl filled with dry red wine, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a small white bowl with bright red marinara sauce, a small white bowl containing coarse sea salt, a small white bowl with ground black pepper, a small white bowl holding dried thyme, a small white bowl with granulated sugar, fresh parsley sprigs, nine cooked al dente flat rectangular lasagna noodles neatly stacked, a simple white ceramic bowl with creamy low-fat cottage cheese, a simple white ceramic bowl with smooth reduced fat ricotta cheese, one large whole uncracked egg with clean shell, a small white bowl holding shredded mozzarella cheese, all ingredients arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Ground beef: I opt for 15-20% fat content for juicy, flavorful meat sauce without dryness.
Onion & garlic: These aromatics add savory depth; be sure to finely dice and mince so they blend well.
Dry red wine or beef broth: Adds complexity and richness, and the alcohol cooks off, leaving great flavor.
Olive oil: For sautéing meat and veggies, a good quality olive oil adds subtle fruitiness.
Marinara sauce: Choose one with a fresh tomato flavor and minimal additives for the best homemade taste.
Lasagna noodles: Cook to al dente to avoid mushy layers after baking.
Cottage cheese & ricotta cheese: This combo keeps the cheese sauce light but creamy.
Mozzarella cheese: For gooey, stretchy cheese goodness—use part in filling and part on top.
Egg & parsley: The egg helps bind the cheese filling, while parsley adds a fresh herbal note.
Seasonings (salt, pepper, thyme, sugar): Balance acidity and build layers of flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this lasagna my own depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. It’s super forgiving and easy to customize, which means you can really make it your own masterpiece.

Variation: Some days I swap ground beef with ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile and leaner meat.
Vegetarian option: Skip the meat and double the veggies like mushrooms, spinach, and zucchini for a hearty veggie lasagna.
Spice it up: Add some red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce in the meat sauce to give it a little kick.
Cheese choices: I sometimes add Parmesan or provolone for extra cheesy depth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe

Step 1: Build the Rich Meat Sauce

Heat a deep pan or Dutch oven on medium-high and drizzle in your olive oil. Add the ground beef and diced onion, breaking up the meat as it cooks. This usually takes about five minutes until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent. Then toss in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute, just until it smells heavenly. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer down for about two minutes, which helps concentrate that deep flavor. Now stir in your marinara sauce, salt, pepper, thyme, sugar, and parsley. Let everything bubble gently for five minutes, covered, to marry the flavors. Your kitchen will smell just like an Italian trattoria!

Step 2: Whip Up the Creamy Cheese Sauce

In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, ricotta, one cup of shredded mozzarella, egg, and chopped parsley until smooth and well combined. This mixture adds a light, fluffy creaminess that balances the meat sauce perfectly. You’ll find it easy to spread, which makes assembling your layers a breeze.

Step 3: Cook Your Noodles to Al Dente

Boil a large pot of salted water and cook your lasagna noodles just until al dente—usually about 8-10 minutes depending on the brand. Don’t skip this step; mushy noodles will make your lasagna soggy. Once cooked, drain and immediately rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking while you work on assembly.

Step 4: Layer Like a Pro

Scoop half a cup of meat sauce onto the bottom of a deep 9×13 casserole dish and spread evenly. Add three noodles side-by-side over the sauce. Spread one-third of the remaining meat sauce on top of the noodles, sprinkle one cup mozzarella, then spread half of your cheese sauce. Repeat for two more layers: noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella, and cheese sauce, making sure to finish with mozzarella on top. To keep the cheese from sticking to the foil during baking, I poke 9 to 12 toothpicks evenly across the surface. It’s a little trick I swear by to get a clean, bubbly top.

Step 5: Bake and Broil to Golden Perfection

Cover tightly with foil and bake at 375˚F for 45 minutes. Then remove the foil and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until you see the top cheese layer turn a gorgeous golden brown with little bubbly spots. Let your lasagna rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing—this step is crucial to getting neat, beautiful slices that hold their shape.

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Pro Tips for Making Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe

Don’t Skip Browning: Browning the beef and onions thoroughly adds a caramelized flavor foundation that makes this lasagna stand out.
Al Dente Noodles: Cooking noodles just right avoids soggy layers, keeping textures balanced after baking.
Rest Before Serving: Cooling the lasagna for at least 30 minutes helps it firm up so your slices come out clean.
Use Toothpicks Trick: Poking toothpicks through the top layer before foil covering prevents the foil from sticking to melted cheese and ruining the crust.

How to Serve Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe

Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna, homemade meat lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna, hearty lasagna recipe, family favorite lasagna - The image shows a close-up of a large piece of lasagna being lifted from a white baking dish by a black spatula held by a woman's hand. The lasagna has several visible layers: a top layer of melted and slightly browned cheese with green parsley sprinkled on it, beneath that a layer of orange cheese mixed with meat sauce, then pasta sheets, a creamy white cheese layer, another pasta sheet, and a thick bottom layer of meat sauce. The cheese stretches in long strands from the lifted piece back to the dish, giving a melted and stretchy look. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I always finish my lasagna with a little fresh parsley sprinkled on top. The bright green pops against the golden cheese and adds a fresh herbaceous note that complements the richness perfectly. If you’re feeling fancy, a dusting of grated Parmesan right before serving kicks up the savory factor even more.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides for this lasagna are crisp Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or warm, crusty rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce and make the meal feel complete.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress guests, try making individual mini lasagnas in ramekins—they look gorgeous served on individual plates and make portions easier to control. Layer them just like the big casserole and bake until bubbly. They’re perfect for dinner parties or when you want to feel fancy but keep it homey.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your lasagna has cooled completely, I store leftovers in an airtight container or cover the baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days, making for that super convenient next-day dinner or lunch option.

Freezing

This recipe also freezes really well! Before baking, you can assemble the entire lasagna in a freezer-safe dish, cover it tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, bake it straight from the freezer, just add some extra baking time and keep an eye on it towards the end. Having a homemade freezer meal on hand is a total lifesaver.

Reheating

When reheating leftovers, I cover the lasagna with foil to prevent drying out and bake in a 350˚F oven for about 20-25 minutes until warmed through. For quicker reheats, the microwave works fine too—just cover with a microwave-safe lid and heat in shorter bursts, checking frequently to keep that cheese melty without drying.

FAQs

Can I make this Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna a day before baking and refrigerate it, or even freeze it unbaked for up to 3 months. Just remember to add some extra baking time if cooking from frozen.
What’s the best way to prevent soggy noodles?

Cooking the noodles al dente and rinsing them in cold water right after draining stops the cooking process and keeps them firm. Also, don’t overload layers with too much sauce.
Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

You can, but I prefer traditional boiled noodles for better texture. If you use no-boil noodles, reduce the sauce slightly and ensure your sauce layers are generously saucy to soften them properly during baking.
How do I keep the cheese sauce from becoming watery?

Using a combination of cottage and ricotta cheese helps, along with stirring in an egg to bind the mixture. Also, draining the dairy well and assembling the lasagna soon after mixing will help avoid excess moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Best Ever Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s comfort food at its finest and a dish that brings everyone together. Whether you’re making it for a cozy family night or a special occasion, you’ll find joy in both the cooking process and every cheesy, meaty bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to lasagna too. So roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and let’s get baking!