This dish always drives my dinner party guests wild.

This Oven Baked Beef and Cheese Lasagna is the quintessential family meal. By simmering the sauce with aromatic herbs and layering it with a rich ricotta-egg custard, you achieve that perfect balance of hearty meat and gooey, melted cheese that defines a classic Italian-American bake.

Oven Baked Beef and Cheese Lasagna

Ingredients

How To Make Oven Baked Beef and Cheese Lasagna:

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the 1 lb of ground beef, chopped onion, and garlic until the meat is browned. Drain the excess fat. Stir in the 28 oz of crushed tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 2: Cook Noodles & Mix Ricotta: Boil the 9 lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk the 15 oz of ricotta cheese with the 1 egg until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna:

• Base: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13 inch baking dish.

• First Layer: Place 3 noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with 1/3 of the mozzarella and 1/3 of the Parmesan.

• Repeat: Add another layer of noodles, the rest of the ricotta, another 1/3 of the mozzarella, and 1/3 of the Parmesan.

• Top: Place the final 3 noodles, cover with the remaining meat sauce, and top with the last of the mozzarella and Parmesan.

Step 4: Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Step 5: Rest: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. This prevents the layers from sliding apart when served.

Pro Tip

To prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil, lightly spray the underside of the aluminum foil with non-stick cooking spray before covering the dish.