Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna Recipe
If you’re craving a seriously show-stopping comfort dish, look no further than the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna. With layers of creamy ricotta, melted mozzarella, and sharp Parmesan wrapped around a rich, savory meat sauce and delicate pasta, this recipe is everything you want a classic lasagna to be. Whether you’re gathering family around the table or hosting a cozy dinner with friends, this lasagna brings everyone together with irresistible flavors and that unbeatable golden, bubbly topping you just can’t wait to dig into.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna is that it uses simple, everyday ingredients, but each one is vital to building the deep layers of taste, texture, and beautiful color. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few tips on making every bite extra special:
- Lasagna noodles: Sturdy ribbons of pasta are essential for holding all those glorious layers together—cook until just al dente for perfect texture.
- Olive oil: Adds savory flavor to the meat and helps everything brown evenly.
- Ground beef: This forms the hearty base of the sauce; choose 80/20 for richness without excess grease.
- Italian sausage (casings removed): Infuses every bite with a subtle, seasoned kick and juicy texture.
- Onion: Gives a sweet, aromatic boost to the sauce—dice it small for best dish integration.
- Garlic cloves: Three is the magic number for the just-right garlicky warmth that balances the tomatoes.
- Crushed tomatoes: This brings body and juicy, bright tomato flavor to the meat sauce.
- Tomato sauce: Adds an extra layer of smooth tomato richness and moisture.
- Tomato paste: For concentrated, deep flavor—don’t skip, it makes a huge difference!
- Italian seasoning: A pinch of this classic blend instantly gives you that Italian-American coziness.
- Salt: Just enough to pull all the flavors together.
- Black pepper: For a mild background heat and depth.
- Ricotta cheese: Creamy and slightly sweet, this makes the signature soft layer that defines the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna.
- Egg: A beaten egg binds the ricotta, so your lasagna slices come out neat and beautiful.
- Chopped fresh parsley: Brings freshness and color to the cheese filling.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into that signature, stretchy, gooey topping everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: For sharp, nutty notes and that golden finish on top.
How to Make Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna
Step 1: Prepare the Noodles
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the lasagna noodles just until al dente according to the package instructions. The key is to keep them firm so they hold their shape later. Rinse with cool water, drain well, and lay them flat on a baking sheet or kitchen towels to prevent sticking. This step is simple but essential—no one likes torn noodles!
Step 2: Cook the Meat and Aromatics
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, sausage (with casings removed), and diced onion. Cook, breaking the meat up with a spoon, until everything is deeply browned and the onions turn translucent—about 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute more, which unlocks its warm, savory flavor without burning.
Step 3: Build the Savory Tomato Sauce
To the same skillet, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give it all a good stir and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes. This step thickens and deepens the sauce, infusing your Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna with rich, comforting tomato flavor layered with savory meatiness.
Step 4: Mix the Cheesy Ricotta Filling
While your sauce simmers, mix up the dreamy cheese filling. In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, large egg, chopped parsley, and half a cup of the grated Parmesan. Stir until creamy and uniform—this mixture forms those melty, magical layers you’ll anticipate in every forkful.
Step 5: Assemble the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna
Now comes the part where it all comes together! Spread one cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer three noodles over the sauce, then top with a third of the ricotta mixture, a sprinkle of mozzarella, and another cup of sauce. Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with noodles, all remaining sauce, a generous blanket of mozzarella, and the rest of the Parmesan for that signature golden baked top.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is beautifully golden. Let your Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing—this helps those dreamy layers hold together.
How to Serve Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna
Garnishes
A bright sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a ribbon of fresh basil over the top just before serving gives your Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna a gorgeous pop of green and brings out the freshness of the cheeses and sauce. If you love a bit of spice, a pinch of red pepper flakes can add a lively kick.
Side Dishes
Serve your Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna with a classic Caesar salad or a colorful bowl of mixed greens tossed with a zesty vinaigrette. A warm, crusty garlic bread or homemade focaccia is perfect for mopping up all that extra sauce—trust me, you’ll want every last drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, bake and serve your lasagna in individual ramekins for a personalized, restaurant-style touch. Or go family-style and bring the bubbling baking dish straight to the table—cut generous squares and let everyone marvel at those distinct, cheesy layers of the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover slices of Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna store wonderfully! Cover tightly and place in the fridge, where it stays fresh for up to four days. The flavors keep developing, and some say it tastes even better the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze either the whole unbaked assembled lasagna or individual baked portions. Wrap tightly in plastic and foil, label with the date, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, cover your slice with foil and bake in a 350°F oven until hot throughout, about 20 to 30 minutes. For a quick lunch, use the microwave: heat on medium power in short bursts to keep the textures lovely and the cheese gooey.
FAQs
Can I make the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble it a day in advance, cover it well, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, simply add about 10 extra minutes to the covered baking time since it’s starting from cold.
What cheeses work best for this lasagna?
The classic mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan is unbeatable for creamy texture, ooey gooey stretch, and sharp, nutty flavor—it’s what makes this the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! Just omit the ground beef and sausage. Sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini make delicious substitutes; the rich tomato and cheese flavors will shine just as brightly.
Do I need to cook the noodles before assembling?
For traditional dried noodles as in this recipe, boiling them al dente is important for a perfect bite and sturdy layers. If you use oven-ready noodles, just check their package instructions and adjust liquids as needed.
How do I get perfect layers and easy slices?
Let your Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna rest at least 10 minutes after baking. This step helps everything set up beautifully so you get neat, picturesque slices every time.
Final Thoughts
This is the kind of cheesy, heartwarming dish that has everyone coming back for seconds. I can’t wait for you to try the Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna and see just how impressive and delicious homemade lasagna can be. Don’t forget to share it—you’ll be a hero at any table!
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Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna recipe. Layers of lasagna noodles, a rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and savory Parmesan come together in a dish that’s perfect for gatherings or a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Cook the noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay flat on a baking sheet.
- Make the meat sauce: Brown the ground beef, sausage, and onion in a skillet. Add garlic, tomatoes, sauce, paste, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Prepare the cheese filling: Combine ricotta, egg, parsley, and Parmesan.
- Assemble the lasagna: Layer sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and repeat. Top with remaining sauce and cheeses.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Make ahead by assembling the lasagna up to a day in advance and refrigerating until ready to bake.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
