Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese

Introduction

Few dishes capture the heart of family-style cooking like Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese. This Italian-American favorite is the ultimate comfort food, layered with tender pasta sheets, a rich beefy tomato sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and plenty of gooey melted cheese. Every bite is a perfect harmony of flavors and textures—savory, cheesy, and satisfying.

Lasagna has a long history rooted in Italian cuisine, but in American kitchens, it often takes on a heartier personality. The ground beef provides rich flavor, the ricotta cheese offers creamy balance, and the mozzarella creates that irresistible golden-brown top. It’s a dish that transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary, perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and celebrations.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it embodies everything I look for in comfort food: layers of flavor, texture, and warmth. The ground beef sauce is savory and robust, the ricotta mixture is creamy and delicate, and when baked together, it becomes a dish that feels indulgent yet familiar.

It’s also a recipe that brings people together. A bubbling pan of lasagna placed in the center of the table always draws smiles. Whether you’re serving it at a family gathering or enjoying leftovers the next day, it never loses its appeal.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Classic comfort food: A timeless favorite across generations.
• Balanced flavors: Savory beef sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella.
• Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for family dinners, parties, or potlucks.
• Make-ahead friendly: Can be prepped in advance and baked when ready.
• Great leftovers: Tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.

This is a must-try because it’s the kind of dish that makes memories—rich, hearty, and satisfying to the last bite.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Servings: 8 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~550 kcal
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Lasagna Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Extra Parmesan for topping

Cooking Directions

1. Cook noodles: If using traditional lasagna noodles, cook them according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare meat sauce: Heat olive oil in skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground beef, cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and seasonings. Simmer 20 minutes.
3. Prepare ricotta mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Assemble lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Add a layer of noodles, followed by ricotta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Rest and serve: Let lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

1. Cook lasagna noodles if needed.
2. Prepare meat sauce with beef, tomatoes, and seasoning.
3. Mix ricotta filling with egg, Parmesan, and herbs.
4. Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta, and mozzarella. Repeat.
5. Top with sauce and cheese.
6. Bake covered, then uncovered until bubbly.
7. Rest, slice, and serve hot.

How to Serve

• Serve hot, cut into generous squares.
• Pair with garlic bread and a fresh green salad.
• A glass of red wine (Chianti, Merlot) complements it beautifully.

Recipe Tips

• Let it rest before cutting: Prevents the layers from sliding apart.
• Use freshly grated cheese: Melts better and tastes fresher.
• Make ahead: Assemble the lasagna a day before and refrigerate; bake before serving.
• Balance flavors: Taste the sauce before layering and adjust seasoning.

Variations

1. Vegetable Lasagna: Add spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms between layers.
2. Three-Cheese Lasagna: Use ricotta, mozzarella, and provolone for extra richness.
3. Spicy Lasagna: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
4. White Lasagna: Use béchamel sauce instead of tomato-based sauce.
5. Turkey Lasagna: Replace beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.

Freezing and Storage

• Refrigerator: Store leftovers for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze baked or unbaked lasagna (wrapped tightly) for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Bake refrigerated lasagna at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, or microwave individual portions. Frozen lasagna should be thawed overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Special Equipment Needed

• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Large pot (for pasta)
• Large skillet (for sauce)
• Mixing bowls
• Aluminum foil

Conclusion

Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese is the ultimate comfort dish—layered, cheesy, and packed with rich flavors. With its tender noodles, savory beef sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and golden mozzarella topping, it’s a dish that feels both indulgent and heartwarming.

Whether you’re making it for family dinner, a celebration, or to stock your freezer with a reliable meal, this lasagna is guaranteed to become a go-to favorite.

Print Recipe

Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese

Author: Laura Bennett Cuisine: American, Italian Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 1 hr Total Time 1 hr 30 mins

Servings: 8 Calories: per Serving: ~550 kcal

Description

Few dishes capture the heart of family-style cooking like Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese. This Italian-American favorite is the ultimate comfort food, layered with tender pasta sheets, a rich beefy tomato sauce, creamy ricotta filling, and plenty of gooey melted cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 can (15 oz)
• 1 tsp sugar (optional, balances acidity)
• 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Ricotta Filling:

• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

For the Lasagna Layers:

• 12 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Extra Parmesan for topping

Instructions

1. Cook noodles: If using traditional lasagna noodles, cook them according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Prepare meat sauce: Heat olive oil in skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Add ground beef, cook until browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, and seasonings. Simmer 20 minutes.
3. Prepare ricotta mixture: In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Assemble lasagna: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce. Add a layer of noodles, followed by ricotta mixture, sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
6. Rest and serve: Let lasagna rest 10–15 minutes before slicing for clean layers.

Keywords: Lasagna with Ground Beef and Ricotta Cheese