Go Back
–+ servings
meat lasagna on a plate
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Lasagna Recipe With Meat Sauce And Ricotta Cheese

This lasagna is a hearty, comforting dish made with layers of tender lasagna noodles, flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey melted mozzarella. It’s a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. The combination of lean ground meat and rich ricotta makes this a delicious, yet slightly lighter, take on traditional lasagna.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: comfort food, lasagna, meat sauce, pasta dish, ricotta
Cooking Method: Oven
Diet: Low-fat (using lean meat)
Servings: 6
Author: MelanieCooks.com

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 9 lasagna noodles
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 jar (1 lb) pasta sauce
  • 1 lb lean ground turkey or extra-lean beef
  • 1 package (8 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 tsp oil

Instructions

  • Soak lasagna noodles: Fill a baking dish with hot water and place the lasagna noodles in it for 15 minutes.
  • Prepare ingredients: While noodles are soaking, chop the onion and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix the pasta sauce with 1 ½ cups of water.
  • Cook meat sauce: Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ground meat and cook for about 7 minutes or until fully cooked. Stir in the minced garlic and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well.
  • Assemble lasagna: Pour 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture into the bottom of the 8x12 baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles side by side. Spread the meat sauce over the noodles.
  • Second layer: Add another 3 lasagna noodles, spread the ricotta cheese on top, then pour 1 cup of the tomato sauce over it.
  • Final layer: Place the last 3 lasagna noodles on top, pour the remaining tomato sauce over the noodles, and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to melt the cheese and brown slightly.
  • Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can substitute half of the ricotta cheese with cottage cheese or mascarpone.
  • If you prefer extra cheesy lasagna, feel free to add more shredded mozzarella between the layers!