1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large pot, boil water and cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant.
4. Add the ground beef or Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned, then season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Now it’s time to layer! Start with a bit of marinara sauce spread on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
7. Place 4 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
8. Add a layer of the cooked meat mixture, followed by a layer of marinara sauce, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
9. Repeat the layers: noodles, ricotta, meat, marinara, and mozzarella, until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of noodles topped with marinara sauce and the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
10. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
11. Let the lasagna cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Nutritional Information:
This serving of lasagna typically contains approximately 400 calories, 25 grams of protein, and 20 grams of fat per portion.
Time: Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 45 minutes