Maggiano's Lasagna Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This lasagna recipe combines savory meat sauce, a smooth ricotta mixture, and melty mozzarella for a flavor-packed dish. It’s hearty, satisfying, and perfect for family gatherings, special occasions, or cozy dinners. With its balance of flavors and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe will become a family favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 pound ground beef

• ½ pound Italian sausage

• 1 onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 (14.5 oz) cans crushed tomatoes

• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• ¼ cup beef broth

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

• 1 egg

• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley for garnish

• 12 lasagna noodles

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce
   Heat olive oil in a large pan and brown the ground beef and Italian sausage for 8-10 minutes. Add onions and garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, sugar, and herbs. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Cheese Mixture
   Mix ricotta, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles
   Boil the noodles until al dente, rinse under cold water, and lay them flat.

4. Assemble the Lasagna
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch dish. Start with a thin layer of meat sauce, then layer noodles, ricotta mixture, and more meat sauce. Repeat until you have three layers, finishing with noodles and topping with mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake the Lasagna
   Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes, allowing the cheese to brown. Optional: broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispy cheese.

6. Rest and Serve
   Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 8-10

• Prep Time: 30 minutes

• Cook Time: 1 hour

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Variations

• Vegetarian Lasagna: Swap the meat sauce for a vegetable-based sauce with zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach.

• White Lasagna: Use Alfredo sauce or béchamel sauce for a creamy, white version.

• Spicy Lasagna: Add spicy sausage and crushed red pepper flakes for heat.

• Four-Cheese Lasagna: Increase the cheese variety with provolone, Gouda, and fontina.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes or microwave individual servings for 2-3 minutes.

FAQs

1. Can I use no-boil lasagna noodles?

Yes, you can use no-boil noodles. Ensure there is enough moisture in your sauce to help them cook properly.

2. Can I prepare the lasagna ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day before and refrigerate it until ready to bake.

3. How do I prevent lasagna from being too watery?

Ensure your sauce is thick enough and don’t over-layer with sauce. Let the lasagna rest after baking to help it set.

4. Can I freeze lasagna?

Yes, you can freeze the assembled, unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time.

5. What type of cheese is best for lasagna?

Ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan are essential, but you can also add provolone or fontina for extra flavor.

6. How long should I bake the lasagna covered?

Bake covered for 25-30 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15-20 minutes.

7. Can I use ground turkey instead of beef and sausage?

Yes, ground turkey can be used as a leaner alternative to beef and sausage.

8. Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe is not gluten-free unless you use gluten-free lasagna noodles.

9. Can I use fresh mozzarella instead of shredded?

Yes, fresh mozzarella can be used for a creamier texture, though shredded mozzarella is typically easier to work with.

10. Can I make this lasagna without meat?

Yes, you can substitute a vegetable or mushroom sauce for the meat for a delicious vegetarian option.

Conclusion

Maggiano’s Lasagna brings rich layers of flavor and comforting textures that will make your meal feel extra special. With its customizable variations and simple preparation, it's the perfect dish for any occasion. Enjoy this authentic Italian-American recipe in the comfort of your home!

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Maggiano’s Lasagna recipe delivers the indulgent flavors of the beloved Italian-American restaurant right to your kitchen. This comforting dish features layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella—perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or meal prep. Discover how to make a classic lasagna at home that everyone will love.

• Author: Janet
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 servings
• Category: Dinner, Casserole
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound ground beef

½ pound Italian sausage

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 (14.5 oz) cans crushed tomatoes

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons tomato paste

¼ cup beef broth

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese

1 egg

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Fresh parsley for garnish

12 lasagna noodles

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Instructions

• Prepare Meat Sauce:
  Heat olive oil in a large pan. Brown the ground beef and sausage (8–10 minutes). Add onions and garlic; sauté for 3–4 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, broth, sugar, and herbs. Simmer 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season to taste.

• Make Cheese Mixture:
  In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

• Cook Lasagna Noodles:
  Boil noodles until al dente. Rinse and lay flat to prevent sticking.

• Assemble Lasagna:
  Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add a layer of sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, and repeat for 3 layers. Finish with sauce and mozzarella.

• Bake:
  Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Optional: broil for 2–3 minutes.

• Rest & Serve:
  Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

• For a spicy twist, use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.

• You can prepare lasagna a day ahead and refrigerate before baking.

• Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.