Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food with my Best Meat Lasagna Recipe. Layer after layer of tender noodles, hearty meat sauce, and a cheesy trio of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan come together in this classic Italian favorite that never fails to impress.
Type of Cuisine:
American
Prep Time: 1 hour.
Cook Time: 45 minutes
How Many Servings?
8 servings
Lasagna Meat Recipe seekers, you’ve found the ultimate version—layered with perfectly cooked pasta, loaded with cheese, and drenched in rich, meaty tomato sauce. This isn’t just a lasagna; it’s a heartwarming classic that feeds both hunger and nostalgia.
As a mom of two teenage football players with endless appetites, I’ve perfected this recipe through years of feeding not just my boys, but their always-hungry teammates too. This cheesy, meaty masterpiece has never failed to deliver comfort and crowd-pleasing satisfaction.
Lasagna Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need to make the ultimate comfort food—meat lasagna from scratch with rich tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella.
- Olive Oil: Provides a flavorful base for sautéing and adds richness to the dish.
- Onions (small, chopped): Enhances the savory foundation of the sauce.
- Garlic (cloves, smashed): Infuses a robust, aromatic essence into the sauce.
- Ground Beef: Offers hearty, meaty flavor.
- Ground Lamb or Pork: Adds a unique depth and richness to the meat layer.
- Dry Basil (plus 1 cup of fresh chopped basil): This brings herbal notes, and the fresh basil adds a burst of aromatic freshness.
- Italian Seasoning: A harmonious blend of herbs for an authentic Italian flavor.
- Celery (chopped): Provides a subtle, earthy undertone to the sauce.
- Carrots (peeled and chopped): Adds natural sweetness and texture to the sauce.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Form the rich, tomatoey base of the sauce.
- Tomato Paste (dissolved in ¼ cup of warm water): Intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce.
- Lasagna Sheets: The foundation for layering the delicious components.
- Shredded Mozzarella: Melts into gooey, cheesy layers.
- Ricotta Cheese: Contributes a creamy, indulgent texture to the dish.
- Parmesan Cheese (extra to sprinkle on top when finished): Adds a sharp, savory kick and enhances the baked cheese topping.
Ricotta vs. Béchamel: Which Sauce Wins in Lasagna?
Lasagna recipes vary across Italy, and one of the biggest distinctions is the creamy layer—ricotta or béchamel. In northern Emilia-Romagna, béchamel is the go-to, lending a silky richness to the dish. Down south in Campania, ricotta takes the spotlight, bringing a rustic, creamy texture.
Both versions are deeply rooted in tradition and utterly delicious. As for me? I’ll always lean toward a ricotta-infused lasagna—it’s cozy, flavorful, and reminds me of home.
Tailoring Your Meat Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna is highly adaptable to your preferences or dietary restrictions. Consider these variations:
- Meatless Lasagna: Swap the ground beef with a medley of vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted bell peppers. Crumbled tofu or tempeh can also serve as a protein-rich meat substitute. Pro Tip: Season your vegetables with herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme for enhanced flavor.
- Vegan Lasagna: Replace dairy ingredients with vegan alternatives like tofu ricotta or cashew cheese. Adding a layer of roasted veggies like eggplant or zucchini can introduce exciting textures. Pro Tip: Blend cashews with nutritional yeast and water for a creamier texture to create a vegan cheese sauce.
- Keto Lasagna: Opt for thinly sliced veggies like zucchini or eggplant instead of pasta sheets. You could also add spinach or kale for an extra nutritional kick. Pro Tip: Add a layer of ground beef, turkey, or pork for a more satiating dish.
Perfect Pairings for Your Meat Lasagna
Lasagna is a comfort food classic, and what better to serve alongside it than crispy, buttery garlic bread? It’s the perfect companion for a slice of this meaty masterpiece.
Pair your lasagna with a vibrant spring salad or tangy strawberry salad for a lighter, fresher contrast. These crisp, refreshing salads balance the richness of the lasagna while adding a burst of color and nutrients to your plate.
Storing & Freezing Lasagna
Meal prep win: Lasagna gets even better the next day!
-
Refrigerator: Store cooked lasagna in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Reheat slices in the microwave as needed.
-
Freezer (Best Option – Unbaked):
Assemble the lasagna but don’t bake it. Wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 1 month. This helps prevent soggy noodles and gives you crispy cheese when baked fresh. -
Freezer (After Baking):
Cool completely, slice, and transfer to freezer-safe containers. Also lasts up to 1 month. Perfect for reheating on busy days.
Preparation
Brown the Meat
Add 1 chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes.
Stir in 3 smashed garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute.
Add ground beef and lamb (or pork) to the pot, breaking it apart with a wooden spatula.
Season with 1 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and dried basil. Cook for about 5 minutes, continuing to break up the meat.
Once cooked, transfer the meat mixture to a separate bowl and set aside.
Build the Tomato Sauce Base
Stir in chopped celery and carrots, and cook for another 2 minutes.
Add 3 smashed garlic cloves and sauté for 1 more minute.
Pour in 3 cans of crushed tomatoes, then add 1 tsp basil, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the sauce to a boil, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste dissolved in ¼ cup warm water. Mix well.
Reserve ½ cup of the sauce and set aside for later.
Combine Meat and Sauce
Let it cook together for another 15 minutes to blend the flavors.
Stir in 1 cup of freshly chopped basil and mix thoroughly.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture & Preheat Oven
Add 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then mix until well blended.
Preheat your oven to 375°F to get it ready for baking.
Cook Pasta & Layer Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 3 cups ricotta, and 2 cups grated parmesan.
Assemble & Bake the Lasagna
Add a layer of cooked lasagna sheets.
Spread a layer of the cheese mixture.
Add another layer of lasagna sheets, followed by a layer of meat tomato sauce.
Continue layering cheese mixture, pasta, and meat sauce until all ingredients are used.
Finish with a final sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese on top.
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Uncover and bake for another 25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Enjoy
Enjoy layers of hearty meat sauce and cheesy goodness with our classic meat lasagna recipe. Perfect for meal prep and freezing for later.
Type of Cuisine:
American
Prep Time: 1 hour.
Cook Time: 45 minutes
How Many Servings?
8 servings
Ingredients:
| 2 tablespoons Olive oil | |
| 2 small onions, chopped separately | |
| 6 cloves of garlic, smashed (keep each three separate) | |
| 1 lb of ground beef | |
| 1 lb of ground lamb or pork | |
| 2 teaspoons of salt | |
| 1 teaspoons of black pepper | |
| 1 teaspoon of dry basil, plus 1 cup of fresh chopped basil | |
| 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning | |
| 3 sticks of celery, chopped | |
| 2 carrots, peeled and chopped | |
| 3/ 28 oz cans of crushed tomatoes | |
| 2 tablespoons of tomato paste dissolved in ¼ cup of warm water | |
| 12 Lasagna sheets | |
| 3 cups of shredded mozzarella | |
| 3 cups of ricotta cheese | |
| 2 cups of parmesan cheese (extra to sprinkle on top when finished) |
Preparation
In a large Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 chopped onion and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in 3 smashed garlic cloves and cook for 1 more minute. Add ground beef and lamb (or pork) to the pot, breaking it apart with a wooden spatula. Season with 1 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and dried basil. Cook for about 5 minutes, continuing to break up the meat. Once cooked, transfer the meat mixture to a separate bowl and set aside.
In the same Dutch oven, add a drizzle of olive oil and sauté 1 chopped onion for 2 minutes. Stir in chopped celery and carrots, and cook for another 2 minutes. Add 3 smashed garlic cloves and sauté for 1 more minute. Pour in 3 cans of crushed tomatoes, then add 1 tsp basil, 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp pepper. Stir to combine. Bring the sauce to a boil, then stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste dissolved in ¼ cup warm water. Mix well.
Return the cooked ground meat to the simmered tomato sauce and stir well. Let it cook together for another 15 minutes to blend the flavors. Stir in 1 cup of freshly chopped basil and mix thoroughly.
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses. Add 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then mix until well blended. Preheat your oven to 375°F to get it ready for baking.
Cook lasagna sheets according to package instructions; drain and set aside. In a separate bowl, mix 3 cups shredded mozzarella, 3 cups ricotta, and 2 cups grated parmesan.
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread half of the reserved plain tomato sauce (without meat) on the bottom. Add a layer of cooked lasagna sheets. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture. Add another layer of lasagna sheets, followed by a layer of meat tomato sauce. Continue layering cheese mixture, pasta, and meat sauce until all ingredients are used. Finish with a final sprinkle of extra parmesan cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Let it cool slightly before slicing. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Use Canned Tomatoes with Tomato Paste
Simmer Meat Sauce for Full Flavor
Lamb or Sausage—Your Call
Classic Cheese Trio
Let It Rest Before Slicing
Bake Covered, Then Uncover to Crisp
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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So that is my famous lasagna recipe! Let me know what you think of the recipe in the comments below. What meat did you use? Did you try adding a new cheese? I want to hear it all!