The beauty of this classic lasagna lies in its simplicity and rich, comforting flavor. Layers of tender pasta, creamy cheeses, and savory meat sauce melt together into a perfectly satisfying dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight and special enough for guests.
Whether you’re feeding a big family or prepping meals for the week, this lasagna delivers comfort in every bite. It’s a foolproof favorite that proves you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something truly delicious. Pair it with a fresh salad or some garlic bread for a complete and hearty Italian-inspired meal.
Full Recipe:
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1 pound ground beef
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1 (32-ounce) jar spaghetti sauce
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1 (16-ounce) container cottage cheese
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2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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2 eggs
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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2 teaspoons dried parsley
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon ground black pepper
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9 lasagna noodles (cooked and drained)
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½ cup water
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain excess fat.
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Stir in the spaghetti sauce and let simmer for 10 minutes.
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In a medium bowl, mix cottage cheese, 2 cups mozzarella, eggs, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.
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In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the meat sauce on the bottom.
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Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, followed by 1/3 of the cheese mixture.
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Repeat layers two more times, ending with remaining meat sauce.
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Sprinkle the top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
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Pour ½ cup water around the edges of the dish. Cover tightly with foil.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes.
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Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 55 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Kcal: 410 kcal | Servings: 8 servings
The Heart of a Home-Cooked Meal: Easy Lasagna Like Grandma Made
Lasagna is more than just a dish—it’s a story, a tradition, and a warm invitation to gather around the table. The classic easy lasagna recipe is one of those rare culinary creations that checks every box: hearty, comforting, full of flavor, and surprisingly simple to make. It carries all the richness and depth of a slow-cooked Sunday meal, but can be assembled with ease any night of the week. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or just finding your rhythm in the kitchen, this lasagna delivers both satisfaction and simplicity in every bite.
At its core, lasagna is a celebration of layers—each bite offering a harmonious blend of pasta, savory meat sauce, and rich, melted cheese. But beyond the taste, there’s something nostalgic about lasagna. It’s often associated with family dinners, holidays, and traditions passed down through generations. This easy version keeps that warmth and familiarity alive, while offering a streamlined approach for modern cooks who crave delicious results without the hours of labor.
A Dish Rooted in Italian Tradition
Lasagna, or lasagne in Italian, originates from the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Traditionally, it’s made with fresh pasta sheets, béchamel sauce, ragù (a meat-based tomato sauce), and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. While regional variations abound throughout Italy, the dish made its way into American kitchens with a few key adaptations—most notably the use of cottage or ricotta cheese and jarred spaghetti sauce for convenience.
The Americanized version has become a staple in many households because it’s both indulgent and family-friendly. What makes this recipe a favorite is its flexibility—you can customize it to suit your tastes, dietary preferences, or what you happen to have in your pantry.
Why This Lasagna Stands Out
This easy lasagna recipe doesn’t sacrifice flavor for simplicity. It uses just a few pantry-friendly ingredients to create a dish that tastes like it simmered on the stove all afternoon. The seasoned beef provides a savory backbone, while the cottage cheese and mozzarella melt into creamy, gooey layers that feel comforting and luxurious. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top offers the perfect umami-rich, golden-brown crust.
One of the keys to its success lies in the smart use of store-bought spaghetti sauce. With so many high-quality, flavor-packed sauces available today, it’s possible to achieve a deep, slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time. And because the recipe calls for layering everything in one dish and baking it, there’s minimal babysitting involved. It’s a classic example of “set it and forget it” that delivers extraordinary results.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals and Meal Prep
One of the most practical aspects of this lasagna is its make-ahead potential. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or planning your meals for the week, lasagna is a gift that keeps on giving. You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours in advance, store it in the refrigerator, and pop it into the oven when you’re ready. The flavors actually meld and deepen as it sits, often making the second-day lasagna even tastier than the first.
It also freezes beautifully. Once cooled, lasagna can be portioned out and wrapped in freezer-safe containers for quick meals later in the month. When stored properly, it holds up in the freezer for up to three months. Simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven until bubbly and hot throughout. This makes it a favorite for busy families, new parents, or anyone who enjoys batch cooking.
Tips for the Best Homemade Lasagna
Even though this is an easy recipe, there are a few tricks you can use to elevate it to restaurant-quality.
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Use oven-ready noodles if you’re really pressed for time. They cut down on prep and cook up beautifully when nestled in the sauce.
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Layer with intention. Spread sauces evenly, and don’t overload one layer with too much filling. Even distribution ensures every bite has that perfect pasta-cheese-sauce harmony.
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Let it rest. Once the lasagna comes out of the oven, resist the urge to cut into it right away. Letting it sit for about 10-15 minutes allows the layers to settle and makes serving much easier.
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Customize your protein. While ground beef is traditional, you can swap in ground turkey, sausage, or even plant-based meat for different flavor profiles.
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Add veggies for a nutrient boost. Spinach, zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers all work well in lasagna and add color and texture to the final dish.
Serving Suggestions: What Goes Well With Lasagna?
Lasagna is hearty enough to stand on its own, but the right side dishes can turn dinner into a full Italian-inspired feast. A crisp green salad with a zesty vinaigrette helps balance out the richness of the cheese and meat. Garlic bread or buttery rolls are practically mandatory—they’re perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce on your plate.
Roasted or steamed vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, or green beans, are great for rounding out the meal. And if you’re entertaining, a glass of red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon pairs beautifully with the tomato-based sauce and cheese.
A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion
This easy lasagna is more than a weeknight dinner—it’s a go-to dish for celebrations, potlucks, and holidays. Its universal appeal makes it a hit at baby showers, housewarmings, or game-day gatherings. You can even prepare two pans side by side: one classic and one vegetarian or gluten-free, depending on your guests’ needs.
What’s more, it’s budget-friendly. Ground beef and pasta are economical staples, and the remaining ingredients can often be found already in your fridge or pantry. For a dish that serves up to eight, it’s a smart way to feed a family or a crowd without breaking the bank.
Conclusion: Simple, Satisfying, and Always a Crowd-Pleaser
Lasagna is proof that sometimes, the simplest ingredients make the most beloved meals. This easy recipe is a love letter to classic comfort food—timeless, adaptable, and deeply satisfying. It brings people together around the table, encourages conversation, and offers that warm, full feeling that only a home-cooked meal can provide.
Whether you’re hosting friends, meal-prepping for the week, or just looking to treat yourself to something delicious, this easy lasagna won’t disappoint. Keep it in your recipe rotation, and it will quickly become a favorite you return to again and again.
From its bubbling cheese crust to its savory meat sauce and perfectly tender noodles, this lasagna is the definition of a reliable, rewarding dish. It’s not just food—it’s comfort in every forkful.