What could possibly be more comforting than the smell of a tray of Italian-American style lasagna fresh from the oven? Beneath the crispy, melty top lies layers upon layers of cheesy, saucy goodness. A creamy ricotta and herb mixture is slathered between thin sheets of pasta, each of which is topped with mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and a hearty meat ragu, culminating in one of the most beloved of all Italian-American baked pasta dishes.
American Lasagna is a recognizable menu staple in many Italian eateries. It is one that is pleasing to even the fussiest of eaters making it a dish that is sure to please a crowd.
In fact, you will often find lasagna on the tables of many Italian-American families on holidays, such as Thanksgiving (served as the first course way before the turkey), Christmas, and Easter.
It's relatively simple to make, freezes well, and as I said, pleases even the pickiest and hungriest of crowds.
The great lasagna debate
This recipe is for the Italian-American style lasagna that I grew up eating and uses my recipe for meat sauce (the same one used in my Pasta al Forno recipe). There are many variations of the dish, and the authentic Italian version, the one you'd be served in Italy, is quite different.
The Italian version of this dish is often made with a Bolognese Ragu and a bechamel, which starts with a roux (milk and flour) and is flavored with a touch of nutmeg. You will not find ricotta cheese in the authentic Italian recipe.
And of course, there are so many variations of this dish that you've likely tried: vegetable lasagna, seafood lasagna, and so on. You can even roll up the noodles. We did just that in this spinach lasagna rolls with white sauce recipe. That's a great one that I encourage you to try!
It is such an easy dish to manipulate and as always, I encourage you to not be afraid to put your own twist on it!
How to make it
Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.
- Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and a drop (¼ teaspoon) of olive oil. While you're waiting for the water to boil, begin making your mixture of 1 pound of ricotta (drained overnight), ¼ cup of minced parsley, ¼ cup of minced basil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat two eggs. Once beaten, add them to the ricotta and herb mixture.
- Once the water is boiling, add the lasagna noodles in small batches (unless you have a huge pot it will take a few batches) and cook until 1 minute less than al dente and remove them with a pasta spider or strainer. Place them immediately into an ice water bath to stop them from cooking any further.
- Lay the noodles out on parchment paper, or clean dish towels.
- In a 9x13 (or 10x15) baking dish, place a drop of olive oil and wipe the bottom and the sides. Then, add a thick layer of meat sauce to completely coat the bottom of the baking dish. Note: I am using the meat sauce from my Pasta al Forno recipe. For a meatless version, you can use my easy marinara sauce recipe.
- Place 6 lasagna noodles on the first level so they slightly overlap. Spread a thick layer of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles.
- Then, layer ⅓ of the mozzarella, another thick layer of meat sauce, and finally ⅓ of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese. Repeat this process over the next two layers.
- On the top layer, just add the sauce, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano cheese. There is no ricotta mixture on the top layer. Cover with a lightly oiled tin foil cover. Alternatively, you could cover with parchment paper first, then tin foil. The oil/parchment paper is to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil. In the middle of the oven, bake the lasagna covered at 375f for 45 minutes. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes more until the side noodles are crispy and the cheese is bubbly. Once the lasagna is done, it needs to sit for at least 30 minutes to allow it to settle, so factor that amount of time in when serving.
What to serve with lasagna
Lasagna is a hearty meal, so you'd want to consider serving it alongside something light.
When I make lasagna, I usually serve it with this Via Carota style green salad or sauteed broccoli rabe.
If you are making this lasagna for Thanksgiving (I see you my fellow New Yorkers), you might want to check out some of my Thanksgiving recipes, like my sage and onion stuffing or my sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash.
As far as drinks go, I say mix up a pitcher of moscato sangria, or pop open a nice full-bodied Chianti, Barbaresco, or Amarone, depending on your budget.
More baked pasta recipes
- Baked penne with Italian sausage - Easy Italian sausage-based sauce with penne, ricotta, and mozzarella.
- Meatless baked ziti - Marinara, mozzarella, ricotta, and ziti are baked until bubbly.
- Baked rigatoni with meat sauce - Mozzarella and rigatoni are tossed with a hearty meat ragu.
- Spinach ricotta stuffed shells - Creamy ricotta and spinach stuffed shells with meat sauce.
- Four cheese baked manicotti - Large tubes of pasta stuffed with 4 cheeses and baked to perfection.
If you’ve enjoyed this Italian-American lasagna recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and leave a review.
Some people learn by watching. If you're that type of person, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.
Ingredients
For the lasagna
- 5 cups meat sauce meat sauce recipe
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 1 pound mozzarella cheese sliced
- 1 cup Pecorino Romano finely grated
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the ricotta mixture
- 1 pound ricotta drained overnight
- ¼ cup parsley minced
- ¼ cup basil minced
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and a ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Boil the lasagna noodles (work in batches and stir well to avoid sticking) to very al dente (about 4-5 minutes). Scoop out sheets with a mesh strainer or pasta spider and shock in ice water. Lay flat the lasagna noodles on parchment paper or clean dish towels.
- In a large bowl combine all the ricotta mixture ingredients.
- In a 9 by 13 (or 10 by 15) baking dish place a drop of olive oil and wipe the bottom and sides. Next add a thick layer of meat sauce, completely coating the bottom of the baking dish.
- Place 6 lasagna noodles on the first level (they should slightly overlap). Spread a thick layer of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles, then layer ⅓ of the mozzarella, another thick layer of meat sauce, and finally ⅓ of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Repeat the process on the next two layers. On the top layer just add the sauce, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano cheese.
- Cover the lasagna with a lightly oiled tin foil cover or parchment paper then foil to prevent sticking.
- Bake the lasagna covered at 375f for 45 minutes in the middle of the oven. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes more until the side noodles are crispy and the cheese is bubbly. Enjoy!
Notes
- Makes 6 large or 8 decent sized servings.
- This recipe uses meat sauce, from our Pasta al Forno recipe. For a meatless version, you could use our quick marinara sauce or your own sauce.
- Make sure to cook the lasagna noodles to very al dente in batches. Lay out the noodles on clean kitchen towels or parchment paper to make an easy assembly process.
- Any broken lasagna noodles can still be used. They work best in the middle, reserving the good pieces for the outside edge.
- Cover the lasagna with parchment paper, then foil to prevent sticking. Remove the paper and foil for the last 15 minutes to get the noodles nice and crispy. Broiling for 2 minutes right at the end works great but watch carefully!
- After removing the lasagna from the oven, allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the lasagna to settle and will help prevent it from collapsing once you've sliced it.
Making the sauce now for This lasagna. Can this dish be prepared a day ahead?
Thanks!
Absolutely. I often prepare it the day before and just bake until hot the next day. Enjoy!
The sauce is coming along nicely!!! Taste is yummy! Thanks for quick reply!!
I want to make this lasagna in advance. Can it be frozen prior to cooking? Does it freeze well? How long would it take to defrost in the refrigerator?
Hey MJ. You can absolutely freeze it before cooking. It's best to thaw it in the fridge the night before, but it can be baked frozen. Either way, just bake it until hot in the middle. The exact time will vary depending on how thawed it is. As far as thawing time, it will take about 24 hours. Enjoy!
Loving your lasagne recipe
Thanks very much!
Hi, the recipe says 1lb ricotta, but the video looks like you're using a 2 lb container? Is 1 lb correct? Thanks, Julie
Hi Julie. It is 1 pound. I used half of a 2-pound container. I should have made that more clear.
Made this recipe and it tasted awesome, but was very soupy. How do I reduce the amount of liquid in the sauce?
Hi Tom, sorry it was soupy for you. Did you drain the ricotta? That can make it soupy. The other thing that's important is to let the lasagna settle for 30 minutes before serving after it comes out of the oven. Anytime I've had soupy lasagna it's been because it didn't settle long enough. Glad it tasted good though!
I only make one change to your lasagna. And I will bettcha that if you try this, you’ll be amazed..
Do not cook the lasagna noodles before you layer them. You use the stiff, uncooked regular noodles and use six per layer in your 9x13 dish.
Layer cheese and sauce and everything the same. Then just before cooking, pour one cup on water around the edge of the dish before you put the foil on top. Really make sure the foil is tucked on tightly.
Bake for 45 minutes at 350 and then remove foil and allow to rest for about 10-15 minutes. Viola! Lasagna is SO much easier. And no one is the wiser except the cook. 🤗
Thank you for the comment, Tey!
Just a heads-up, when you click on the link for the meat sauce it takes you to the Pasta Al Forno recipe.
Hi Norma, I know it's not the most straightforward but that's where the meat sauce recipe currently resides. We plan to update this in the near future. Sorry for the confusion.
will definitely be following this recipe.
Thanks, Jan! We hope you like it!
Did you use a smaller lasagna noodle? Looks like they were cut in half.
Hi Patricia, I used DeCecco brand lasagna. Some noodles are longer depending on the brand.
This is the best lasagna I have ever tried. This meat sauce is my absolute favorite. Thank you so much for these delicious recipes
Hi Teresa, so happy you liked the lasagna as well! Thanks for the comment!
Hi, I have a question. Can I make this in a 8 x 8 inch, 2 qt dish? I know you specifically want a 9 x 13 or 10 x 15, but I'm making this for myself and my partner.
Hi Natasha, yes you can make it in an 8x8. You may just need less of it.
k, thank you.
To drain the ricotta do you just put in a sieve over a bowl or should you put cheesecloth in the sieve then over a bowl
Hi Irv, you can do either but a cheesecloth/sieve combo will be even better than just the sieve.
I made this with marinara sauce and it was perfect! Fairly easy and my guests truly enjoyed it. A taste of NY Italian in Los Angeles. Thank you!
Hi Natalie, I'm so happy you enjoyed the lasagna and appreciate the comment!
My family said this was the best lasagna they ever had! It was awesome!
Hi Lynn, thanks for the comment and so happy you and the family enjoyed!
I love your recipes and can count on them to turn out as they should!
When you prepare the lasagna from the day before, do you cook it or leave it ready to bake the next day? I’m worried about the noodles soaking up all the liquid.
Hi Lucy, you'd likely be fine either way, but it's probably best for you to assemble it and store it in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake and serve. You may need to bake a little longer than noted here since the lasagna will be cold from the refrigerator.
Love, love, love your recipes!
About how much of the meat sauce from the Pasta Al Forno recipe would equal 5 cups? About half? Thanks!
Hi Barbara, so happy you're enjoying the recipe. The al forno uses 3 28-ounce cans of tomatoes and after a few hours of cooking will probably reduce down to about 8 cups, so maybe a little more than half. But keep in mind this is an estimate and would depend on how long it cooks/reduces, etc.