World’s Best Lasagna Recipe

With some effort, this World’s Best Lasagna recipe becomes a deliciously satisfying and hearty dish worth every bite!”

Over 12 years ago, when “Noah. k” shared this lasagna recipe with Eliarecipes, he couldn’t have imagined the incredible success it would achieve. Now known as “World’s Best Lasagna,” it has become one of our all-time top recipes, drawing in more than 5.5 million views annually and holding its place as one of the internet’s most beloved lasagna recipes for nearly two decades. Sadly, Noah passed away unexpectedly at the age of 49, leaving behind a culinary legacy cherished by many.

How to Make the World’s Best Lasagna

Making lasagna might take some time, but the delicious result is worth the effort. You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and detailed instructions in the recipe below, but let’s cover the essentials first:

World’s Best Lasagna Ingredients

This lasagna recipe is a favorite because it’s versatile, allowing you to customize it to suit your taste easily. However, if you want to stick to the classic version, here’s what you’ll need:

• Meat: This hearty lasagna uses sweet Italian sausage and lean ground beef.
• Onion and Garlic: An onion and two garlic cloves are cooked with the meat to pack in flavor.
• Tomato Products: You’ll need crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and paste.
• Sugar: A couple of tablespoons of white sugar adds a hint of sweetness to balance the sauce.
• Herbs and Spices: Fresh parsley, dried basil, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper create the flavor foundation.
• Lasagna Noodles: Use either store-bought or homemade noodles.
• Cheeses: A combination of Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta adds richness and decadence.
• Egg: Helps bind the ricotta mixture to hold its shape when sliced.

How to Make the World’s Best Lasagna: Step-By-Step

Here’s a quick overview of the steps you’ll follow to create your lasagna masterpiece:

1. Make the Meat Sauce: Cook the sausage, beef, onion, and garlic, then add the tomato products and spices.
2. Cook the Noodles: Prepare your lasagna noodles according to package instructions.
3. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: Combine ricotta with egg and seasonings to create a creamy layer.
4. Layer the Lasagna: Follow the layering process outlined below.
5. Bake: Cover with foil and bake in the oven.
6. Let It Rest: Allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before serving.

How to Layer Lasagna

For best results, follow this layering order:

1. Meat sauce
2. Noodles
3. Ricotta mixture
4. Mozzarella slices
5. More meat sauce
6. Parmesan cheese

Repeat these layers, then top with any remaining Parmesan.

How Long to Cook World’s Best Lasagna

Bake the lasagna in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 50 minutes. Cover it with foil for 25 minutes to keep it moist, then uncover it for 25 minutes to achieve a perfect finish. Allow the lasagna to rest for about 15 minutes before cutting into it to help it set.

How to Reheat Lasagna

While using the microwave is an option if you’re in a hurry, it can alter the texture of the noodles. The best way to reheat lasagna is in the oven. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until it’s warmed through and the sauce bubbles.

How to Freeze the World’s Best Lasagna

Are you planning to freeze your lasagna? It’s best to use a foil baking dish. Allow the lasagna to cool completely, then wrap the entire dish in plastic wrap. Add another layer of aluminum foil to protect against freezer burn. You can store it in the freezer for up to three months.

How to Reheat Frozen World’s Best Lasagna

To reheat frozen lasagna, it’s best to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Then, follow the standard reheating instructions. If you need to reheat it directly from the freezer, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure it’s heated all through.

Tips and Praise From the Eliarecipes Community

“We live in St. Louis, where Italian food is top-notch,” shares “Isabella M.” “This lasagna could easily rival any dish from our local Italian restaurants. My family couldn’t stop raving! The sauce is incredible. It truly lives up to its reputation!”

Another community member adds, “The combination of sweet Italian sausage and ground beef, along with the flavorful sauce, makes this recipe a standout. Yes, it takes some time, but it’s so worth it. Serve it with a salad, and you’ll be delighted.”

“Phenomenal,” raves “Jennifer A.” “Just a heads up: once you try this, you’ll never want store-bought lasagna again. It takes some time, but it’s not hard to make. My house smells divine every time!”

Ingredients

• 1 pound of sweet Italian sausage
• ¾ pound of lean ground beef
• ½ cup of finely minced onion
• Two cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6.5-ounce) cans of tomato sauce
• 2 (6-ounce) cans of tomato paste
• ½ cup of water
• Two tablespoons of white sugar
• Four tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley (divided)
• 1 ½ teaspoons of dried basil leaves
• 1 ½ teaspoons of salt (divided or to taste)
• One teaspoon of Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon of fennel seeds
• ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces of ricotta cheese
• One egg
• ¾ pound of mozzarella cheese, sliced
• ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1:
Prepare all your ingredients and have them ready to go.

Step 2:
In a large Dutch oven, cook the sausage, ground beef, minced onion, and crushed garlic over medium heat until nicely browned.

Step 3:
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, paste, and water to the pot. Season the mixture with sugar, 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley, basil, 1 teaspoon of salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for approximately 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.

Step 4:
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water.

Step 5:
In a mixing bowl, blend the ricotta cheese with the egg, two tablespoons of parsley, and ½ teaspoon of salt.

Step 6:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 7:
To assemble the lasagna, spread 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Lay 6 noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top, then add ⅓ of the mozzarella slices. Spoon another 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella and sprinkle with ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.

Step 8:
Repeat the layers, then finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. Cover the dish with foil, spraying it with cooking spray or ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese to prevent sticking.

Step 9:
Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 10:
Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

In conclusion, the World’s Best Lasagna Recipe lives up to its name by offering layers of rich flavors and hearty ingredients. With perfectly seasoned meat, creamy cheeses, and a robust tomato sauce, this lasagna is the ultimate comfort food. Ideal for family dinners or special occasions, this recipe will impress and become a favorite for anyone who tries it!