Easy Lasagna Rich Meat Cheese (Print)

Tender noodles layered with savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese for crowd-pleasing comfort.

# Ingredients:

→ Lasagna Base

01 - 9 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)

→ Meat Sauce

02 - 500 g ground beef or pork
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 700 ml marinara sauce
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese Layer

10 - 500 g ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
11 - 1 egg
12 - 250 g mozzarella cheese, shredded
13 - 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 180°C. If using regular noodles, cook them in salted boiling water according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Add ground beef or pork to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and cook until well browned. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
04 - Pour in marinara sauce, oregano, and basil. Stir well and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until flavors meld.
05 - Combine ricotta cheese and egg in a bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper and stir until smooth.
06 - In a 23×33 cm baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the base. Arrange 3 noodles on top, then layer with one-third of the ricotta mixture, a portion of meat sauce, and a layer of shredded mozzarella. Repeat for a total of three layers. Finish with remaining sauce and sprinkle grated Parmesan evenly on top.
07 - Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
08 - Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing to ensure neat portions. Serve warm.

# Additional Notes:

01 - No-boil noodles streamline assembly but require an extra ladle of sauce to ensure sufficient moisture during baking.
02 - For an ultra-creamy texture, substitute béchamel sauce in place of ricotta.
03 - Stirring in sautéed spinach or chopped vegetables adds nutrition and variety.
04 - Leftovers develop deeper flavor; keep refrigerated for up to three days.