Description
Lasagna Maggiano’s Style is a hearty Italian-American baked pasta dish featuring layers of tender lasagna noodles, a rich meat sauce made with ground beef and Italian sausage, creamy ricotta mixture, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for family dinners or comforting gatherings, this recipe combines classic flavors with a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Sauce
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cook Meat and Vegetables: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage until browned, breaking up the meat as it cooks. Add the finely chopped onion and cook until softened, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute to develop aroma.
- Make Meat Sauce: Drain excess grease from the skillet, then stir in the marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes to blend the flavors and thicken the sauce slightly.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Assemble Lasagna Layers: Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Place a layer of cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread a portion of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with a top layer of meat sauce.
- Add Topping and Bake: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the final meat sauce layer. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
- Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown and melted.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes. This resting period allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice and serve.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef and pork or Italian sausage.
- Allow the lasagna to rest before cutting to help it hold its shape and improve serving consistency.
- You can prepare the lasagna ahead of time, refrigerate it before baking, and bake just before serving.
