Name: Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked); 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided); ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (divided); 2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese); ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley; 1 large egg (beaten); ½ pound lean ground beef; ½ pound Italian sausage; 1 yellow onion (diced); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 36 ounces pasta sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ¾ teaspoon salt (divided, more to taste); ¼ teaspoon black pepper

If you’re craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug on a plate, you’re going to love this Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe. It’s the kind of classic dish that brings everyone to the table, bubbling with rich meat sauce, creamy cheese layers, and perfectly tender noodles. When I first tried this recipe, I was blown away by how easy it was to pull off such an authentic Italian favorite right in my own kitchen. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through all the steps so your lasagna turns out utterly delicious every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Authentic Layering: Each layer of meat sauce, cheese, and noodles blends perfectly for that classic lasagna texture you crave.
Simple Ingredients: No need for fancy items—just staples you probably already have in your kitchen.
Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s family dinner or a gathering, this recipe always gets rave reviews.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it in advance or freeze leftovers with no hassle.

The image shows a white square dish with several layers of lasagna. The bottom layer is soft cooked pasta sheets, topped by a thick layer of brown meat sauce mixed with reddish tomato sauce that looks chunky and moist. Above this is another layer of pasta, followed by a thick spread of melted light yellow cheese with golden brown spots, sprinkled with small bits of green herbs. One piece of lasagna has been taken out, revealing the layers clearly on a white marbled surface. The cheese on top looks bubbly and slightly browned with a bit of gooey stretched texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, classic lasagna recipe, easy meat lasagna, homemade Italian lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together like old friends—each bringing its own flavor and texture to create that perfect Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll want to grab at the store (or dig out of your fridge!).

Flat lay of uncooked rectangular lasagna noodles neatly stacked, a small mound of shredded mozzarella cheese, a small pile of shredded Parmesan cheese, a fresh whole yellow onion with shiny skin, two whole cloves of garlic with papery skins, a small white ceramic bowl filled with vibrant red pasta sauce, a small white ceramic bowl holding thick, deep red tomato paste, fresh bright green parsley sprigs loosely arranged, a raw whole egg with a smooth clean shell, a small white ceramic bowl containing creamy white ricotta cheese, and fresh raw lean ground beef and Italian sausage side by side in small portions placed on a simple white ceramic dish, all ingredients fresh and natural, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, classic lasagna recipe, easy meat lasagna, homemade Italian lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna

Lasagna noodles: I like to get regular dried noodles—they cook up nicely and hold their shape well.
Mozzarella cheese: Freshly shredded for the best melt and stretch—don’t skip the shredding yourself if you can help it!
Parmesan cheese: Adds that nutty, savory kick on top and in the cheese mixture.
Ground beef: Lean to keep the sauce hearty but not greasy.
Italian sausage: Use sweet or spicy, depending on your mood—it gives the sauce great depth.
Yellow onion: Diced fine for a sweet, aromatic base to the meat sauce.
Garlic: Minced—because what’s Italian food without garlic, right?
Pasta sauce: Choose a flavorful jarred sauce or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious.
Tomato paste: This thickens and intensifies the sauce beautifully.
Italian seasoning: The secret blend of herbs that ties everything together.
Ricotta cheese: The creamy layer that contrasts perfectly with the meaty sauce.
Fresh parsley: Brightens the cheese mixture and adds a fresh touch.
Large egg: Helps bind the ricotta mixture so it’s luscious, not runny.
Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings to bring out every flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love that this Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe is super flexible, so you can tweak it to suit whatever your taste buds or dietary needs are feeling. Don’t hesitate to experiment—you’ll enjoy discovering new favorites!

Vegetarian Version: Swap out the meat for sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach—you won’t miss the meat at all.
Spicy Kick: Adding crushed red pepper flakes or using spicy Italian sausage brings a satisfying heat my family adores.
Cheese Variations: Try mixing in some provolone or fontina with the mozzarella for a richer cheese blend.
Gluten-Free: Use no-boil gluten-free lasagna noodles—you might have to adjust cooking times slightly.

How to Make Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

Step 1: Get Those Noodles Perfectly Cooked

Start by bringing a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your lasagna noodles and cook until they’re al dente—meaning tender but still firm to the bite. This keeps the noodles from turning mushy once baked. Once done, drain them and rinse quickly under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Lay them flat on a baking sheet or plate—this little detail made a big difference the first time I made this recipe!

Step 2: Build Your Meat Sauce

While your noodles are cooking, brown the ground beef, Italian sausage, onion, and garlic in a large skillet over medium-high heat. I like to let the onions get translucent and the meat nicely browned but not burnt. Drain off any excess fat to keep things from getting greasy. Then, stir in your pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer uncovered for about five minutes—it thickens as it heats, giving you a richer, more concentrated flavor.

Step 3: Mix the Creamy Cheese Layer

In a medium bowl, combine your ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella and Parmesan, chopped fresh parsley, beaten egg, and a pinch of salt. I discovered this step really helps keep the cheese mixture creamy but set, so it doesn’t slide around when you serve. The parsley adds a nice pop of freshness, which I always appreciate.

Step 4: Layer It Up

Now for the fun part—assembling your lasagna. Spread a cup of your meat sauce evenly on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Next, lay down three cooked noodles side by side. Spread one-third of your ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then add another cup of meat sauce on top. Repeat this layering two more times: noodles, cheese, meat sauce. Finish with a final layer of three noodles and cover those with the remaining meat sauce.

Step 5: Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. After that, remove the foil and sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. I promise, this cheesy top is seriously the best part! Bake uncovered for another 15 minutes or until the top turns golden and bubbly. If you want to impress guests (or just treat yourself), pop it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to get that perfectly browned crust. Just keep an eye on it—it goes fast!

Step 6: Let It Rest

This is a critical step you can’t skip. Let your lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. When I started letting mine rest, the slices held together beautifully, making for a much neater, more satisfying plate.

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Pro Tips for Making Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

Avoid Soggy Noodles: Rinsing noodles under cold water right after draining helps keep them separate and prevents overcooking in the oven.
Meat Mix Magic: Using both ground beef and Italian sausage adds layers of flavor and a nice texture contrast that makes the sauce memorable.
Cheese Blend Love: Mixing ricotta with mozzarella and Parmesan gives you creamy richness with just the right amount of stretch and sharpness.
Rest Your Lasagna: Always give it a good rest after baking—this step helps everything set up for cleaner slices and better flavor melding.

How to Serve Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a layered lasagna showing about four layers of pasta sheets and rich sauce mixed with browned ground meat. The top layer has melted, slightly browned cheese with scattered green herb pieces. The lasagna is cut into six hearty square servings, and around the dish there is a striped cloth and a small bowl of green herbs. The whole scene is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese, classic lasagna recipe, easy meat lasagna, homemade Italian lasagna, cheesy meat lasagna

Garnishes

I like to keep garnishes simple with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil on top—it adds a lovely burst of green and freshness right before serving. Sometimes I even add a light drizzle of good-quality olive oil for a silky finish that makes everyone say, “wow.”

Side Dishes

A crisp Caesar salad or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette pairs beautifully to cut through the richness of the lasagna. Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks are my go-to sides because, honestly, can you ever have too much bread with lasagna? I think not.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve individual portions in mini cast iron skillets or even oven-safe ramekins—it’s so fun to see the layers in each serving and it makes any dinner feel extra fancy. Plus, guests love the personalized touch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After your lasagna has fully cooled, I recommend storing leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator. It keeps well for 3-4 days, and to be honest, the flavors even deepen after a day or two. When I plan ahead, I usually portion it into airtight containers for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I usually bake the whole lasagna, cool it completely, then wrap it tightly with foil and plastic wrap before freezing. When you’re ready, just thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat. You can also freeze it unbaked—just assemble, cover tightly, and freeze. Bake from frozen, adding extra time to the baking process.

Reheating

To reheat your lasagna, cover it with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven until heated through—about 20-30 minutes depending on the portion size. Removing the foil for the last 5-10 minutes helps refresh the bubbly cheese top. Avoid using a microwave if you want to keep that authentic texture and flavor!

FAQs

Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles for this recipe?

Absolutely! No-boil or oven-ready noodles work well for this recipe and save time. Just make sure your sauce is a bit more liquidy to help the noodles soften properly during baking.
What’s the best way to prevent lasagna from being watery?

Drain excess fat from the meat, rinse noodles after cooking, and don’t overload the sauce layers. Also, letting the lasagna rest before cutting helps the layers set and reduces wateriness.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the lasagna, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes meal prep super convenient on busy days.
How do I know when the lasagna is fully cooked?

Look for bubbly edges and a golden cheese top when baking uncovered. A good rule of thumb is to bake covered first, then uncover for the last 15 minutes to brown the cheese nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Homemade Lasagna with Meat and Cheese Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites to make and share. It’s the perfect blend of easy and impressive, bringing real, comforting flavor to the table that your family and friends will rave about. Give yourself the joy of making lasagna from scratch—it’s easier than you think and so much more rewarding than boxed. I can’t wait to hear how your lasagna turns out—enjoy every cheesy, meaty bite!