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Legendary Meat Lasagna Recipe

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Legendary meat lasagna features succulent meat sauce with aromatic herbs and tomatoes. A decadent ricotta filling is tucked between tender lasagna noodles. The dish is topped with a blanket of gooey, melted mozzarella. This savory lasagna is baked to bubbly perfection.

📌 Pin Best Legendary Meat Lasagna

Best Lasagna Recipe served hot out of the oven.

🧑🏼‍🍳 Why This Recipe’s a Keeper

It’s a legendary recipe for the best meat lasagna. The magic begins with a flavorful, hearty meat sauce that simmers on the stovetop for 2-1/2 hours. The rich, creamy filling boasts a savory combination of Ricotta, Parmesan and Mozzarella cheeses. This savory, satisfying lasagna recipe features 3 layers of tender noodles, sauce and filling.

Meat lasagna with ricotta cheese filling, garnished with fresh parsley.
Easy lasagna recipe shown on a plate with fork.

🛒 Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce

  • Lean Ground Beef: Provides a hearty flavorful base for the meat sauce. It imparts a rich, savory taste that forms the essence of a legendary meat lasagna.
  • Italian Sausage (casings removed): It’s seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices like fennel, garlic and paprika. This distinctive seasoning imparts a robust and savory flavor to the meat, creating a more complex and aromatic profile for the overall lasagna.
  • Olive Oil: For sautéing the veggies. It helps them cook evenly for a desirable texture, and promotes caramelization which adds depth of flavor and a slight sweetness.
  • Yellow Onion: Contains natural umami that enhances the savory character of the meat. Onion also acts as a flavor bridge between the meat and other ingredients in the sauce.
  • Celery: A traditional ingredient in Italian recipes, it adds a pleasing texture and crunch to the meat sauce, and has a lovely aroma.
  • Green Bell Pepper: Have a mildly sweet and tangy flavor and distinctive aroma.
  • Cloves of Garlic: Add depth and complexity to the meat sauce.
  • Italian Parsley: Adds a grassy flavor, a lovely green color, and a burst of freshness.
  • Crushed Tomatoes: Adds moisture, acid, and texture to the meat sauce.
  • Tomato Sauce: Creates a robust and well-balanced sauce. The acidity and sweetness complements the richness of the meat.
  • Tomato Paste: Thickens the meat sauce while adding a more intense tomato flavor.
  • Beef Broth: Contributes moisture and a rich umami boost. The savory, meaty flavor of the broth enhances the sauce.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a delicious rustic flavor with bright tangy notes. But feel free to use red wine instead. Red wine infuses a subtle richness and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Granulated Sugar: A small amount of sugar helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a well-rounded sauce. Don’t leave it out.
  • Kosher Salt: Essential for seasoning, it enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
  • Ground Black Pepper: Add a rustic taste and aroma, and a hit of heat and complexity.
  • Bay Leaves: Contribute a subtle, aromatic flavor with mildly sweet and earthy notes.
  • Spices: Dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme and ground cloves. These spices create a harmonious blend that elevates the flavor of the sauce, imparting richness and depth.
Homemade lasagna in a casserole dish.

For the Ricotta Filling & Noodles

  • Ricotta Cheese: Provides a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It’s a key ingredient in the filling and adds richness to the lasagna.
  • Large Eggs: Act as a binder, helping to hold the filling together. It also contributes to the overall texture of the filling.
  • Fresh Italian Parsley: Brings a fresh and herby flavor to the filling. It adds a pop of color and contributes to the overall taste.
  • Parmesan Cheese (grated): Adds a nutty and savory flavor to the filling. Parmesan is a flavorful cheese that enhances the taste of the ricotta.
  • Mozzarella Cheese (shredded): Melts beautifully, and adds a gooey, stringy texture to the filling. It’s a classic cheese for lasagna, providing a lovely stretchiness.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances the flavor of the other ingredients.
  • Ground Black Pepper: Adds a rustic taste and aroma with a hint of heat. It helps bring out the savory notes from the cheeses.
  • Box of Lasagna Noodles (15-17 sheets of noodles): Lasagna noodles play a crucial role in this meat lasagna recipe. They contribute texture and structure. They layers of noodles act as a binding agent, helping to hold the entire dish together.
Meat lasagna served in an Emile Henry baking dish.

📖Recipe Steps

Make the Meat Sauce

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. There should be no more pink. Drain off the fat from the pan, and transfer the meat to a bowl.
  2. Add olive oil to the pan. When it shimmers, add onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic. Sauté until tender.
  3. Transfer the meat back to the pan. Mix the veggies and meat together. Add in parsley, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, ground cloves and bay leaves. Mix to combine.
  4. Bring the meat sauce to a light boil. After 2 minutes, cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the meat sauce to simmer and thicken for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
Best meat lasagna recipe with Ricotta cheese filling.

Prepare the Ricotta Filling

  1. Add Ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley, grated Parmesan, and half the grated Mozzarella to a large bowl. Blend the mixture until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  2. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste.
Legendary Meat Lasagna served with a glass of wine.

Assemble Legendary Meat Lasagna

Recipe Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9X13 lasagna pan or baking dish. Cook lasagna noodles al dente, according to the directions on the box.

  1. Ladle meat sauce on the bottom of the pan to create a base.
  2. Place a flat row of lasagna noodles over the sauce. Add a layer of meat sauce over the noodles. Spread Ricotta cheese filling over the sauce. Arrange another layer of noodles on top. Continue until 3 noodle/sauce/filling layers have been completed.
  3. Evenly sprinkle the remaining Mozzarella cheese over the top of the lasagna.
  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Easy lasagna with ricotta cheese served with a glass of wine.

🧑🏼‍🍳 How to Freeze Lasagna

  • Cool the Lasagna: Allow the lasagna to cool completely before freezing. This will help prevent ice crystals from forming, and will protect the texture of the lasagna.
  • Cut into Portions (Optional): If you plan to have individual servings, cut the lasagna into portions. This makes it easier to thaw and reheat only what you need.
  • Wrap in Plastic Wrap or Aluminum Foil: Wrap the entire lasagna or individual portions tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Make sure the wrapping is airtight to prevent freezer burn. For added protection, double wrap the lasagna by placing the plastic-wrapped portions inside a freezer bag, or wrap it in an extra layer of aluminum foil.
  • Label the Package: Clearly label the package with the contents, date and any reheating instructions. This will help you keep track of what’s in your freezer, and will ensure you use it within a reasonable time.
  • Freeze Flat (Optional): If you have limited freezer space, freeze the lasagna flat before stacking. Once it’s frozen, you can stack multiple portions without them sticking together.
  • Store Properly in the Freezer: Place the wrapped lasagna in the coldest part of your freezer. It is essential to maintain a consistent temperature to preserve the quality of the lasagna. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Lasagna in a baking dish.

👩🏻‍🍳 How to Thaw & Reheat Frozen Lasagna

  • Thaw in the Refrigerator: Ideally, thaw the lasagna in the fridge overnight This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.
  • Reheat in the Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place the lasagna in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake until heated through, usually about 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the lasagna.
  • Check for Doneness. Ensure the lasagna is piping hot in the center before serving.
A slice of Legendary Meat Lasagna served on a white plate.

🍽 More Delicious Pasta Dinners

Rate this Recipe ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flavor testers rated this the BEST legendary meat lasagna recipe. They said it rivaled the lasagna from their favorite Italian restaurants. They said the flavor of the meat sauce, and the savory filling were beyond compare. They appreciated the generous amount of cheese on top.

If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com
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Legendary Meat Lasagna Recipe served with a glass of wine.

Legendary Meat Lasagna Recipe


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5 from 18 reviews

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Description

Legendary meat lasagna features succulent meat sauce with aromatic herbs and tomatoes. A decadent ricotta filling is tucked between tender lasagna noodles. The dish is topped with a blanket of gooey, melted mozzarella. This savory lasagna is baked to bubbly perfection.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Meat Sauce

  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground Italian sausage
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 23 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
  • 1/3 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
  • 1 28ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 3 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or good Italian red wine)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 bay leaves

For the Ricotta Filling & Noodles

  • 1 32ounce container of Ricotta cheese
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves, chopped
  • 2 cups freshly-grated Parmesan cheese or Pecorino Romano
  • 1 pound grated Mozzarella cheese, divided
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1 box lasagna noodles (1617 noodles), cooked according to package directions

Instructions

Make the Meat Sauce

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Break the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. There should be no more pink. Drain off the fat from the pan, and transfer the meat to a bowl.
  2. Add olive oil to the pan. When it shimmers, add onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic. Sauté until tender.
  3. Transfer the meat back to the pan. Mix the veggies and meat together. Add in parsley, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, thyme, ground cloves and bay leaves. Mix to combine.
  4. Bring the meat sauce to a light boil. After 2 minutes, cover the pan with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the meat sauce to simmer and thicken for 2-1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally.

Make the Ricotta Filling

  1. Add Ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley, grated Parmesan, and half the grated Mozzarella to a large bowl. Blend the mixture until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  2. Season the filling with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Lasagna

Recipe Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter a 9X13 lasagna pan or baking dish. Cook lasagna noodles al dente, according to the directions on the box.

  1. Ladle meat sauce on the bottom of the pan to create a base.
  2. Place a flat row of lasagna noodles over the sauce. Add a layer of meat sauce over the noodles. Spread Ricotta cheese filling over the sauce. Arrange another layer of noodles on top. Continue until 3 noodle/sauce/filling layers have been completed.
  3. Evenly sprinkle the remaining Mozzarella cheese over the top of the lasagna.
  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Allow lasagna to rest for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

How to cook lasagna noodles: Boil lasagna noodles al dente. Overcooked noodles can become mushy during baking. Make sure the pot of water for boiling is well salted so it tastes like the ocean.

To avoid excess browning: Tent the lasagna with foil during the initial baking to prevent excess browning. Remove the foil during the last 10 to 15 minutes for a golden, bubbly top.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Category: Pasta
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Italian
Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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33 Comments

  1. Delicious! There is nothing quite like lasagna to keep a family lingering around the table. I can’t wait to try this recipe. Lovely photos make this one easy to pin!






    1. I love it too! It has always been a staple at our house too. I’d love to hear how your daughter likes this recipe.

  2. Oh, this is a dish that my whole family will love and we could eat for several meals. I love a sauce that simmers for hours because the flavors as so robust! It’s going in the oven!






  3. Hi Denay,
    This is incredibly delicious, but here’s a tip for people that want to make this–take it seriously when the post said skim the fat from the meat sauce. I forgot to do that, and all the fat from the sausage and beef made it WAY too rich and heavy. Skim the fat!!!






    1. Hello James! Thank you so much for this important feedback. I really appreciate it. Because of your very helpful comment I immediately went into the post AND the recipe card and bolded the wording about draining off the fat. I’m so glad you enjoyed this legendary lasagna recipe. When hosting family gatherings, it’s one of my most requested dishes! Have a great weekend. :-)