Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta

There are few dishes more comforting than a warm, homemade lasagna. Especially when it’s layered with creamy ricotta cheese, savory meat sauce, and melted mozzarella. This Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta is a traditional Italian-American version that brings comfort and nostalgia to the table. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd, prepping for the week, or indulging in a weekend family dinner, this lasagna never fails to impress.

In this post, you’ll find everything you need to create the perfect ricotta lasagna—from ingredients and preparation steps to pro tips, storage instructions, variations, and serving ideas. Let’s dive in.

Why You’ll Love This Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta

• Authentic Flavor: Balanced layers of meat sauce, ricotta filling, and cheese for a classic Italian taste.
• Family-Friendly: A crowd-pleaser that’s ideal for kids and adults alike.
• Meal Prep-Friendly: Can be made ahead and stored for busy weeknights.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable for vegetarian or gluten-free diets.

Ingredients Breakdown

For the Meat Sauce:

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Garlic
• Ground beef
• Italian sausage (optional, but adds depth)
• Crushed tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Dried oregano, basil, chili flakes
• Salt, pepper, sugar (to balance acidity)

For the Ricotta Mixture:

• Ricotta cheese
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley
• Nutmeg (optional, adds a subtle warmth)

For Assembly:

• Lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• Mozzarella cheese
• Additional Parmesan
• Fresh basil (for garnish)

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

1. Make the Meat Sauce

In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté chopped onions until translucent. Add minced garlic, followed by ground beef and sausage. Cook until browned and drain excess fat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, and seasonings. Let it simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes to develop rich flavors.

2. Mix the Ricotta Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, salt, nutmeg, and parsley. Mix until creamy. This filling adds a velvety texture to the lasagna.

3. Prepare the Noodles

If using traditional lasagna noodles, boil them until al dente, drain, and lay flat on parchment or a clean towel. Oven-ready noodles can be used directly during assembly.

Related Recipes

5 Ingredient Creamy Garlic Sauce

20 mins Beginner

Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce Recipe

20 mins Beginner

Creamy Cilantro Garlic Sauce With Jalapeños

25 mins Beginner

4. Assemble the Lasagna

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

• Start with a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Add a layer of noodles.
• Spread a generous layer of ricotta mixture.
• Add a layer of meat sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella.
• Repeat layers until the dish is full. Top with mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake to Perfection

Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil (non-stick side down) and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.

6. Rest and Serve

Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This step is essential for clean servings and to allow flavors to settle.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Lasagna

• Use fresh herbs for extra flavor in the ricotta and garnish.
• Let it rest before cutting to avoid a soupy mess.
• Don’t overlayer—three to four complete layers is usually enough.
• Grate your own cheese for better melting and flavor.

Variations and Substitutions

Vegetarian Option

Skip the meat and use sautéed mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or eggplant as a flavorful replacement.

Gluten-Free

Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and ensure that your tomato paste and crushed tomatoes are certified gluten-free.

Cheese Variations

• Try adding a layer of provolone or fontina for a different flavor profile.
• Cottage cheese can be used in place of ricotta for a lighter option (though the texture will be different).

How to Store and Reheat

Storing

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

• Reheat in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20-25 minutes, covered with foil.
• Microwave individual servings on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking often.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this lasagna with:

• Garlic bread or focaccia
• A crisp Caesar or arugula salad
• Roasted vegetables
• A glass of red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese

Final Thoughts

This Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta is a tried-and-true favorite, perfect for any occasion. Rich, creamy, and deeply satisfying, it’s a recipe worth mastering. The beauty of lasagna lies in its flexibility, so don’t be afraid to make it your own. Whether you stick to tradition or put a creative spin on it, one thing’s for sure: you’ll come back to this dish again and again.

Budget-Friendly Meals

Lasagna Recipe with Ricotta

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

0 Add to Favorites

Cooking Method: Baking Cuisine: Italian Courses: Dinner, Lunch

Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 60 mins Rest Time 15 mins Total Time 1 hr 45 mins Difficulty: Intermediate Cooking Temp: 180  C Servings: 8 Best Season: All Seasons

Description

This hearty and classic Ricotta Lasagna features layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and gooey mozzarella cheese, all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for Sunday dinners, meal prep, or family gatherings, this Italian favorite is comforting, satisfying, and loaded with flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Meat Sauce

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 500 g ground beef
• 250 g Italian sausage (casing removed)
• 800 g canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp dried basil
• 0.25 tsp red chili flakes (optional)

For the Ricotta Filling

• 450 g ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

For the Assembly

• 250 g lasagna noodles (uncooked or oven-ready)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add garlic, ground beef, and sausage. Sauté until browned, breaking apart the meat. Drain excess fat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and chili flakes. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside.

Make the Ricotta Filling

1. In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, salt, nutmeg, chopped parsley, and Parmesan cheese. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

Pre-cook the Lasagna Noodles (if using traditional noodles)

1. Boil noodles according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Drain and lay them flat on a clean towel to prevent sticking. Skip this step if using oven-ready noodles.

Layer the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom. Add a layer of noodles, followed by ricotta filling, then meat sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of noodles, sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

Bake the Lasagna

1. Cover the baking dish with foil (non-stick side down). Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Rest and Serve

1. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve hot.

Note

Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Reheating Tip: For best texture, reheat in the oven at 180°C for 20 minutes covered with foil.

Variation: Replace beef with ground turkey or add spinach to the ricotta mixture for a lighter version.

Make Ahead: Assemble the lasagna a day in advance and bake when ready to serve.

Keywords: easy lasagna, ricotta cheese, Italian dinner, baked pasta, family recipe