Equipment

• Large skillet or saucepan
• Large pot for boiling noodles
• Mixing bowls
• 9×13-inch baking dish
• Spatula
• Aluminum foil

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until softened.

2. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Stir in the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula.
4. Drain excess fat and return the beef to the pan.

1. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and water. Stir well.
2. Mix in basil, oregano, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar.
3. Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

1. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and salt.
2. Stir until well blended. Set aside.

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
3. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
4. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
5. Sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat layers two more times: sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella.
7. For the final layer, add remaining meat sauce, noodles, and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.