The World's Best Lasagna for a Cozy Family Dinner

There is nothing like the smell of a slow-simmering meat sauce on a cold winter afternoon. It makes your whole house feel warm and inviting. This world’s best lasagna is exactly what your family needs for a cozy night in.

It is hearty, cheesy, and truly satisfying. You can serve this for a special holiday or a simple Sunday meal. It delivers pure comfort in every single bite.

Why This Recipe Is a Winner

This recipe is a total game-changer for your dinner rotation. It uses a mix of sweet sausage and beef for a deep, savory flavor. The slow-simmered sauce makes every bite taste like a fancy Italian kitchen.

It is the perfect dish for feeding a hungry crowd. You can even make it ahead of time to save stress. Your guests will definitely ask for the recipe before they leave.

Simple Method

Making this dish is much easier than it looks. You just simmer the sauce, boil the noodles, and layer everything together. The secret is letting the sauce cook slowly to develop rich, complex flavors.

Even a beginner can master this classic meal. Just follow the steps and watch the magic happen. You will feel like a pro chef in your own kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe uses simple ingredients that create a restaurant-quality result.

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 2 cans (6.5 ounces) canned tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Step-by-Step

1. In a large pot, brown the sausage, beef, onion, and garlic. Drain the fat.
2. Stir in tomatoes, paste, sauce, and water. Add sugar and spices.
3. Simmer the sauce covered for 1 1/2 hours. Stir it occasionally.
4. Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.
5. Mix ricotta, egg, 2 tablespoons parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth.
6. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
7. Layer meat sauce, noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella in a 9×13 dish.
8. Repeat layers and top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil.
9. Bake for 25 minutes covered. Bake another 25 minutes uncovered.
10. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before you slice it.

Best Ways to Enjoy It

Serve this lasagna warm with a side of crusty garlic bread. A fresh green salad helps balance the rich, cheesy layers. It is perfect for a leisurely weekend dinner with friends.

Pour a glass of your favorite red wine. Set the table and enjoy a truly special meal. Everyone will leave the table feeling full and happy.

Storage & Reheating

This lasagna tastes even better the next day. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze individual slices for easy future lunches.

Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F until bubbly. Cover with foil to keep the cheese soft and melty. It is the ultimate meal prep for a busy week.

Tips for Best Results

• Do not skip the 15-minute resting time.
• Spray the foil with oil so cheese won’t stick.
• Use full-fat ricotta for the creamiest texture possible.
• Simmer the sauce longer if you have the time.
• Double the batch for a big holiday crowd.
• Add a pinch of red pepper for extra heat.
• Rinse noodles in cold water to stop the cooking.

Easy Flavor Ideas

• Swap sausage for ground turkey for a lighter version.
• Add fresh spinach to the ricotta for extra greens.
• Use gluten-free noodles to fit your dietary needs.
• Mix in some smoked provolone for a bold flavor.

Common Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble it the day before. Just keep it covered in the fridge until you are ready to bake. This makes entertaining so much easier.

How do I know when it is done?

The cheese should be golden and bubbly on top. The sauce will be sizzling around the edges of the dish. A knife should slide easily through the noodles.

Can I freeze the whole lasagna?

Absolutely, this dish freezes beautifully before or after baking. Just wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Thaw it in the fridge before reheating.

I hope this cozy recipe brings your family together this winter. There is nothing like a warm meal to make a house feel like a home. Happy cooking!

— Lidia

World's Best Lasagna

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Total Time 3 hours hrs

Servings 12 servings

Calories 448 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 3/4 pound lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic , crushed
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 2 cans (6.5 ounces) canned tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup wate r
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt , divided
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
• 12 lasagna noodle s
• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large eg g
• 3/4 pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

 

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the sweet Italian sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley. Simmer, covered, for at least 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles in the boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain the noodles and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth.
• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over the meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of the mozzarella cheese slices.
• Spoon another 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, meat sauce, Parmesan), finishing with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. To prevent the cheese from sticking, spray the foil with cooking spray or ensure it does not touch the cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
• Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the layers to set.