Ultimate Homestyle Beef Lasagna

Sharing is caring!

This Ultimate Homestyle Beef Lasagna is not just a recipe—it’s a celebration of comfort, flavor, and kitchen traditions. With rich layers of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and perfectly cooked noodles, this dish is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table. Whether it’s Sunday dinner or a cozy night in, this classic lasagna promises warmth, love, and leftovers you’ll be excited to eat.

Lasagna is more than food. It’s about family gatherings, holiday traditions, and that magical first slice. Our version elevates the original by balancing sweet tomatoes with hearty beef and sausage, adding herbs and spices for depth, and layering just the right amount of creamy cheese for that perfect bite.

This isn’t your average lasagna—it’s layered love. Each bite delivers complex flavor from a slow-simmered meat sauce made with both ground beef and Italian-style turkey sausage. The sauce bubbles low and slow, infusing every spoonful with the aromatic blend of basil, garlic, and onion.

Don’t be intimidated by the layers. Once your components are ready, the assembling is both therapeutic and rewarding. From the first layer of meat sauce to the last sprinkle of Parmesan, you’re building something timeless.

This dish also happens to be a freezer’s best friend. You can assemble it ahead of time and freeze it before baking, or even freeze leftovers for future cravings. Lasagna that works for you? Yes, please.

The texture is just as amazing. You get chewy pasta, a gooey cheese stretch, and that slightly crisped top layer that everyone fights over. Bonus: it reheats like a dream.

We’ve also taken care to make this version more balanced. A bit of water in the sauce gives it time to simmer and develop, while fresh herbs lift the richness. And a sprinkle of fennel adds a subtle note that makes the flavors pop.

It’s hearty enough to stand alone, but you can serve it with garlic bread, a crisp salad, or roasted vegetables to round it out. And let’s be honest—there’s something deeply satisfying about a tall slice of homemade lasagna on your plate.

Whether you’re hosting dinner guests, cooking for the week, or just want a meal that wraps you in a hug, this lasagna has your back. And belly.

Made with real, simple ingredients and lots of love, this is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your rotation.

Servings: 12

Time:

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Rest Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian-style turkey sausage
• 3/4 lb lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
• 2 (6.5 oz) cans tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 4 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, divided
• 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 lb mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. In a large Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Add sugar, 2 tbsp parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, fennel, 1 tsp salt, and pepper. Simmer covered for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente (8–10 minutes). Drain and rinse in cold water.
4. In a bowl, mix ricotta with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 tsp salt.
5. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
6. Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 6 noodles, half the ricotta mix, 1/3 mozzarella, and 1 1/2 cups meat sauce. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan.
7. Repeat layers. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
8. Cover with foil (grease or tent to avoid sticking) and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 25 more minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Tips:

• Add spinach or zucchini for extra veggies.
• Letting it rest before slicing helps everything set.
• Make it ahead and refrigerate up to 2 days before baking.
• Freezes great—wrap tightly and label!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Rich, slow-simmered flavor in every layer.
• Great for meal prep or gatherings.
• Crowd-pleaser with flexible add-ins.
• Cheesy, meaty, comforting goodness.
• Tastes even better the next day.

This Ultimate Homestyle Beef Lasagna brings together hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey cheese in a comforting classic that never goes out of style. Whether fresh or reheated, every slice delivers warmth and satisfaction.