Cheese Homemade Comfort Lasagna Recipe
This homemade comfort cheese lasagna features layers of tender lasagna noodles, creamy ricotta cheese, rich mozzarella, and freshly grated Parmesan, all baked in a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with fresh basil. Perfect as a hearty main course for family dinners.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Lasagna Noodles
- 12 sheets Lasagna Noodles no-boil or traditional, cooked until al dente
Cheese
- 15 ounces Ricotta Cheese whole milk ricotta for richer taste
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese fresh or pre-shredded
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese freshly grated for best flavor
Sauce
- 24 ounces Marinara Sauce store-bought or homemade
Other Ingredients
- 1 large Egg beaten for binding
- 1 handful Fresh Basil chopped, for flavor
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, half of the grated Parmesan, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth and evenly combined.
- Season Sauce: In another bowl, season the marinara sauce with additional spices if desired to enhance flavor.
- Layer Sauce and Noodles: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish, then layer lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Add Cheese Layer: Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, then sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the ricotta, followed by a layer of marinara sauce.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process, finishing with a final layer of noodles and sauce on top.
- Add Toppings: Top the lasagna with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese to create a golden crust when baked.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes to let the layers meld and heat through.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving to allow it to set and enhance flavor.
Notes
- Using no-boil noodles saves cooking time but ensure they are layered with enough sauce to soften properly.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese provides better flavor than pre-grated options.
- Allowing the lasagna to rest after baking helps it to set and makes slicing easier.
- You can add spinach or cooked ground meat to the cheese mixture for customization.
- Covering with foil during the first part of baking prevents the cheese from burning while allowing the dish to cook evenly.
