Cheese Homemade Comfort Lasagna Recipe
This homemade comfort lasagna is a classic Italian-American dish featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, creamy ricotta cheese mixture, savory marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Baked to bubbly, golden perfection, it's perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles
- 12 sheets lasagna noodles no-boil or traditional, cooked until al dente
Cheese
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese whole milk ricotta for richer taste
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese fresh or pre-shredded
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese freshly grated for best flavor
Sauce
- 24 ounces marinara sauce store-bought or homemade
Other Ingredients
- 1 large egg beaten for binding
- 1 handful fresh basil chopped, for flavor
- To taste salt
- To taste black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, half of the grated Parmesan, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy filling.
- Prepare Sauce: In another bowl, season the marinara sauce with additional spices if desired for enhanced flavor.
- Layer Ingredients: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce, then spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the ricotta, followed by marinara sauce. Repeat layers, finishing with noodles and sauce.
- Add Cheese Topping: Top the final layer with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes until heated through and cheeses start melting.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing to allow it to set and make serving easier.
Notes
- Use no-boil noodles for convenience, but traditional noodles require pre-cooking until al dente.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor more than pre-grated.
- Letting the lasagna rest after baking helps the layers firm up, preventing it from falling apart when sliced.
- You can add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage to the marinara sauce for a meatier version.
- Covering with foil during the first part of baking prevents the cheese from burning or drying out.
