The World’s Best Lasagna

Lasagna is a classic Italian comfort food that brings people together, making it the perfect dish for family gatherings, holiday meals, or any occasion that calls for a hearty and indulgent meal. When prepared with the right balance of rich sauces, melted cheeses, and tender pasta layers, lasagna can truly be a masterpiece. Today, we’re sharing a recipe for The World’s Best Lasagna, guaranteed to become your go-to recipe for any lasagna craving.

This lasagna recipe is everything you love about the dish but taken to the next level with extra flavor, a rich, hearty meat sauce, and the perfect ratio of cheese to noodles. Every bite is a combination of perfectly seasoned meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella. It’s comfort food at its finest!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔ Layered Perfection – A balance of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and melted mozzarella for a deliciously layered dish.
✔ Bold Flavor – The combination of herbs, spices, and slow-simmered tomato sauce makes this lasagna bursting with flavor.
✔ A Family Favorite – Perfect for feeding a crowd, this recipe is a guaranteed hit with both adults and kids.
✔ Make Ahead – This lasagna can be made ahead of time, allowing you to store it in the fridge or freezer for a quick, hearty meal.
✔ Versatile – You can make it as meaty or as veggie-packed as you like, tailoring it to your preference.

Ingredients (Serves 8-10)

For the Meat Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 100g)
2 cloves garlic, minced
500g (1 lb) ground beef
500g (1 lb) ground pork (or use all beef if preferred)
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
1/2 cup red wine (optional, but adds depth of flavor)
2 teaspoons sugar (to balance acidity)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional, for added flavor)

For the Ricotta Mixture:

450g (16 oz) ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (for mixing with ricotta)

For Assembling the Lasagna:

12 sheets lasagna noodles (no-boil or regular, cooked al dente)
3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (for layering)
1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Meat Sauce

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent.
Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the ground beef and ground pork to the skillet, breaking up the meat with a spoon as it cooks. Brown the meat for about 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and red wine (if using). Add the sugar, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and let it cook for 30-45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally. If the sauce gets too thick, you can add a little water to reach your desired consistency.
Once the sauce is done, stir in fresh basil (if using) for an extra burst of flavor. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Ricotta Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, fresh parsley, salt, black pepper, and shredded mozzarella. Mix until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles (If Using Regular Noodles)

Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step and proceed directly to assembly.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping.
Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles, smoothing it out evenly.
Add a generous layer of the meat sauce over the ricotta mixture, followed by a sprinkling of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, mozzarella) until you have used all of the ingredients, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting into it. This will help the layers set.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Slice the lasagna into squares and serve with a side of garlic bread and a green salad for the ultimate meal.
Enjoy your slice of The World’s Best Lasagna!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

Calories: ~450 kcal
Protein: 30g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 6g
Sodium: 800mg

(Note: Nutrition values may vary depending on specific ingredients used.)

Tips & Tricks for the Best Lasagna

✅ Use Fresh Herbs – Fresh basil and parsley can elevate the flavor and add vibrancy to your lasagna.

✅ Let It Rest – Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking helps the layers set and makes it easier to cut clean slices.

✅ Add Veggies – For a healthier twist, you can add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms between the layers for added flavor and texture.

✅ Freezing for Later – Lasagna freezes well! Assemble it in advance, cover tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual.

✅ Make It Ahead – Lasagna often tastes better the next day! Assemble it the night before and refrigerate it overnight for the flavors to develop.

What to Serve with The World’s Best Lasagna

🍞 Garlic Bread – A crusty loaf of garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the rich tomato sauce.
🥗 Side Salad – A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich lasagna.
🍷 Red Wine – A glass of bold red wine, like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon, pairs perfectly with lasagna.

Final Thoughts

The World’s Best Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food that never goes out of style. With its layers of flavor and cheesy goodness, this dish is perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts. It’s rich, hearty, and absolutely irresistible, making it a must-try recipe for anyone who loves a good, classic Italian meal.