This Classic Lasagna Recipe with Ground Beef is such an easy way to make homemade lasagna.
Once the family tastes this traditional beef lasagna recipe, they’re going to be “patiently” waiting for seconds. Made with a ton of cheese and a cook time of only 30 minutes, you can bet that this classic lasagna recipe is going to be a family favorite dinner every time.
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Did I mention that my kids literally beg me to make this lasagna recipe with beef? Full out beg. (and I”m not gonna lie – I want it too but I just want to hear them ask for it!)
This ground beef lasagna is easy to prep and even quicker to cook. I can promise you one bite of this simple lasagna recipe will have you hooked as well. Who knew that lasagna could be so easy?
Why We Love This Recipe
- Makes a large portion to feed a family or a large crowd
- Similar to this Instant Pot Taco Lasagna that we love, too!
Ingredients / Shopping List
- ground beef
- onion, chopped
- garlic, minced
- olive oil
- San Marzano tomatoes
- sugar
- Italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- mozzarella cheese, grated (can use more)
- ricotta cheese
- grated Parmesan cheese
- egg
- lasagna pasta, you will only need about 15 noodles
Substitutions and Additions
Ground Beef: If you want to cut down on the fat content, you can always use ground turkey instead.
Red Pepper Flakes: Adding red pepper flakes is a super simple way to add a bit of spicy heat!
Equipment Needed / Helpful Tools
How to Make Classic Lasagna
If you’ve ever been hesitant to make lasagna at home, this is the perfect recipe to try!
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2
Add olive oil to pan and sauté the meat.
Step 3
Drain the fat out of the meat and add in the garlic. Cook until you smell the garlic.
Step 4
Drain the tomatoes and add them to the ground beef. Add sugar and cook the mixture until it is bubbling.
Step 5
Cook your noodles according to the direction on the noodle package.
Step 6
Mix the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 egg in a bowl until combined.
Step 7
Put a layer of sauce in a 9X13 pan. Add a layer of lasagna noodles on top, then add a layer of the sauce. Next put on a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture and then add on a lot of mozzarella cheese. Next another layer of noodles, then more meat sauce, then more ricotta cheese, and another layer of mozzarella. Finish up with one more layer of noodles, followed by a layer of sauce, and lastly more cheeses.
Step 8
Pop in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the sauce bubbling.
Variations / Options / Add-Ins
Limit the layers: You can always cut down on some of the layers or you can change up the order of the layers, too. I would always suggest having the cheese layer on top though!
Tips
- Don’t overcook the noodles. Pay close attention to the directions on the box to be certain.
- Mix up the cheese by using mozzarella and a Colby jack blend for a bit of a different flavor.
FAQs
If you’re lucky enough to have lasagna leftover, just put a lid on it and pop it into the fridge. It should keep for several days without issue.
There are a few ways to reheat lasagna. Low and slow in the oven is a great option but you can also reheat a portion in the microwave, too. (just be certain to cover as it will splatter in the microwave!)
Lasagna is the perfect freezer-friendly meal. The key is to freeze it BEFORE you bake it and I do this all the time. Then when you’re ready to eat, you just have to take it out and pop in the oven to bake.
Other Recipes
- How To Make Pierogi Lasagna With Leftover Mashed Potatoes
- Easy Lasagna Casserole Family Dinner Recipe
- Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
- Air Fryer Lasagna Cups
- One Pot Lasagna Soup
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📋 Recipe
Classic Lasagna Recipe with Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 30 ounce can San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 24 ounces grated mozzarella cheese
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 16 ounce box lasagna pasta
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Add olive oil to pan and sauté the meat.
- Drain the fat out of the meat and add in the garlic. Cook until you smell the garlic.
- Drain the tomatoes and add them to the ground beef. Add sugar and cook the mixture until it is bubbling.
- Cook your noodles according to the direction on the noodle package.
- Mix the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 egg in a bowl until combined.
- Put a layer of sauce in a 9X13 pan. Add layer of lasagna noodles on top, then add a layer of the sauce. Next put on a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture and then add on a lot of mozzarella cheese. Next another layer of noodles, then more meat sauce, then more ricotta cheese, and another layer of mozzarella. Finish up with one more layer of noodles, followed by a layer of sauce, and lastly more cheeses.
- Pop in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. The cheese should be melted and the sauce bubbling.
Nutrition
Need to run to the store for a few ingredients first? Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can find it when you’re ready to cook!
I mixed the onions with the meat sauce and added a half can of water to the tomato mix.
I hope it turned out well and that you and your family liked the lasagna. Thanks for letting us know how you prepared it – maybe some of my readers will want to try it that way also.
Where do the onions come in? Also it needs a lot more sauce. I did a can of whole tomatoes and I needed to add chicken broth because it was not saucy enough.
The onions should be cooked with the meat. That’s the nice thing about recipes, you can modify them to turn out the way you prefer, like you did with the sauce.