Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta

There’s just something about gathering around the table after church on a Sunday, sharing a meal that feels like home. This Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta is one of my favorite recipes to make ahead—just assemble it the night before, pop it in the oven the next day, and you have a comforting, homemade dinner without the extra fuss. Plus, using a disposable pan makes cleanup a breeze! Pair it with my Strawberry Tiramisu for a meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Food for Thought: Savoring God’s Goodness in Everyday Moments

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” – Psalm 34:8

Life is busy, and it’s easy to rush through moments without truly savoring them. But just like a well-prepared meal brings warmth and comfort, God invites us to slow down and experience His goodness in the everyday. Whether it’s through laughter at the dinner table, a kind word from a loved one, or the simple joy of sharing a home-cooked meal, His love is always present. Today, take a moment to taste and see—to recognize the blessings right in front of you.

Now, let’s make some lasagna!

other family dinner recipes:

• Creamy Sun-Dried Penne Pasta with Turkey Meatballs
• Grilled Buffalo Chicken Cobb Salad
• Easy Roasted Red Pepper Chicken Alfredo Bake
• The Best Spinach Lasagna Roll Ups

Ingredients in this lasagna

Lasagna comes from Italy, where it’s considered a classic dish rooted in the country’s history. The exact origin is not known, but it is believed to have evolved over centuries in various regions of the country. The dish typically consists of layers of pasta sheets, meat or vegetable sauces, and a cheesy filling and topping.

Ingredients You Will Need:

• extra virgin olive oil
• onion
• garlic cloves
• sweet Italian sausage 
• lean ground beef 
• pasta sauce (I like Rao’s brand)
• lasagna noodles 
• Ricotta cheese (Skinny Swap: part skim)
• egg
• black pepper 
• salt 
• fresh parsley
• fresh Parmesan cheese
• Mozzarella cheese (Skinny Swap: part skim)

how to make easy homemade lasagna

This Easy Homemade Lasagna with Ricotta is exactly that – easy and homemade! Overall, I use a few shortcuts like store-bought pasta sauce. This helps get dinner on the table for your family faster, which is something we can all appreciate.

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. 
2. Once heated, add the onion and garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until softened. 
3. Now, add the sweet Italian sausage and the lean ground beef and cook for 8-10 minutes until browned, breaking up with a wooden spoon while cooking through. Add the pasta sauce to the meat mixture and stir well to incorporate.

4. While the meat is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Separate and lay out the cooked noodles on a sheet of parchment paper to keep them from sticking together. 

5. In a medium size bowl, add the ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley. Stir to combine. Set aside. 

6. Then, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a large 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. 
7. Next, spread 1 ½ cups of the sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. 
8. Arrange 5-6 noodles lengthwise over the sauce. It’s okay if the noodles overlap a little. 
9. Then, spread with ½ of the Ricotta mixture. 
10. Top with ½ of the Mozzarella cheese. 
11. Next, repeat the layers, starting with 1 ½ cups of the sauce, then the noodles, Ricotta. 
12. For the final layer, add remaining sauce to cover and the remaining Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. 

13. Loosely cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. 
14. Then, remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and starting to brown and sauce is bubbling. 
15. Finally, let cool for 10–15 minutes before serving. Top with optional fresh parsley before serving.