This World’s Best Lasagna Recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, making it a beloved classic. This Classic Lasagna Recipe With Meat Sauce is perfect for family gatherings or special occasions.
With the option to make Homemade Lasagna Noodles, you can elevate your dish further. Pair it with delicious Lasagna Side Dishes for a complete meal.
This image showcases all the premium ingredients needed to create the world’s best classic meat lasagna, carefully arranged on a clean kitchen surface. The composition highlights the quality of both the fresh ingredients like ground beef and Italian sausage, alongside the essential cheeses and herbs that will create the perfect flavor profile. The arrangement demonstrates the abundance of ingredients that will come together to create this hearty, family-style Italian dish.

Hearty Meaty Lasagna Recipe
This classic meat lasagna dish is a true crowd-pleaser, featuring layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella. The combination of ground beef and Italian sausage creates a robust flavor that is hard to resist.
Perfect for family gatherings or special occasions, this hearty lasagna serves eight and takes about an hour and a half to prepare and cook. Whether you opt for homemade lasagna noodles or store-bought, the result is a comforting meal that brings everyone together.
Pair it with delicious lasagna side dishes, and you have a complete dining experience that will leave your guests raving about the World’s Best Lasagna.
Ingredients for a Flavorful Layering
The key to a successful classic lasagna recipe with meat sauce lies in the quality of its ingredients.
Start with 12 lasagna noodles, which can be homemade for an extra touch of authenticity. The meat sauce is made from one pound each of ground beef and Italian sausage, along with chopped onions and minced garlic for depth of flavor.
For the sauce, crushed tomatoes and tomato paste are essential, seasoned with dried basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. The creamy ricotta mixture, combined with an egg, adds a delightful texture. Finally, three cups of shredded mozzarella and a cup of grated Parmesan cheese will create that irresistible cheesy topping.
This image captures the dynamic cooking process of preparing classic meat lasagna, showing the careful browning of meat and the aromatic sautéing of vegetables. The scene demonstrates the skilled layering technique that creates the perfect lasagna, with visible steam rising from the hot skillet and the rich, bubbling meat sauce. The preparation process showcases the attention to detail required to build the perfect layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese that make this dish extraordinary.

Step-by-Step Assembly
Assembling your meaty lasagna is where the magic happens.
Begin by preparing your noodles, whether homemade or store-bought. Next, create the meat sauce by browning the beef and sausage, then adding the onions and garlic until softened. Stir in the tomatoes and spices, allowing the sauce to simmer and develop its flavors.
In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta with an egg and a pinch of salt. Now, it’s time to layer! Start with a layer of meat sauce in a baking dish, followed by noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, and more sauce. Repeat these layers, finishing with noodles and a generous topping of mozzarella and Parmesan.
Baking to Perfection
Once assembled, the lasagna needs to bake to achieve that golden, bubbly top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and turn golden brown.
After baking, let the lasagna cool for about 10 minutes before slicing. This resting time helps the layers set, making it easier to serve.
Serving Suggestions
To create a warm and inviting dining atmosphere, serve your classic meat lasagna with a side of garlic bread and a fresh salad.
The combination of flavors and textures will enhance the overall experience, making it a meal to remember.
For an added touch, garnish each serving with fresh basil, which not only adds color but also a burst of flavor that complements the richness of the lasagna.
Enjoying the World’s Best Lasagna
With its layers of flavor and comforting ingredients, this meaty lasagna is sure to become a family favorite.
Whether you call it the Joy Behar Lasagna Recipe or simply the World’s Best Lasagna, this dish is destined to impress.
Gather your loved ones around the table, and enjoy the delightful experience of sharing a classic lasagna that brings warmth and joy to every meal.
Hearty Meaty Lasagna Recipe

This meaty lasagna is packed with flavor, featuring a robust meat sauce made from ground beef and Italian sausage, layered with cheese and pasta. The recipe takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes from start to finish and serves 8 people.
Ingredients
- 12 lasagna noodles (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles: If making homemade lasagna noodles, prepare and set aside. If using store-bought, cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
- Mix the Ricotta: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well blended.
- Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella, and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles, remaining meat sauce, and topping with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
This image presents the final masterpiece – a perfectly baked classic meat lasagna with a golden, bubbly cheese topping and clearly visible layers in the cross-section. The slice showcases the ideal texture and color contrast between the rich meat sauce, creamy white ricotta, and perfectly melted cheese layers. The presentation demonstrates the comfort food appeal of this hearty Italian dish, with the fresh basil garnish adding a pop of color and indicating the fresh, homemade quality of this family favorite.

Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 8 servings
- Calories: 450kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
World’s Best Classic Meat Lasagna Recipe
Course: Uncategorized4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
12 lasagna noodles (homemade or store-bought)
1 pound ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans (15 ounces each) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Prepare the Noodles: If making homemade lasagna noodles, prepare and set aside. If using store-bought, cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Make the Meat Sauce: In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, cooking until softened. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Mix the Ricotta: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well blended.
Assemble the Lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture, a third of the mozzarella, and a layer of meat sauce. Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles, remaining meat sauce, and topping with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
Bake: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Serve: Let the lasagna cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil if desired.
Im curious, has anyone tried adding a bit of spice or maybe substituting the meat with plant-based alternatives? Would love to know how it turns out. This recipe seems flexible and fun to experiment with!
Is anyone else curious about how a vegetarian version of this classic lasagna would turn out? Maybe swapping meat for mushrooms and zucchini could be interesting. Just a random thought!
Just wondering, did anyone try substituting the beef with turkey in this lasagna recipe? And does using oven-ready lasagna sheets make a massive difference in taste or texture?
Im intrigued. Is it truly necessary to bake the lasagna to perfection? Could it be argued that a slightly undercooked lasagna offers a more al dente pasta experience?
I must argue, does the classic lasagna recipe truly outdo the hearty meaty one in terms of flavor? Also, wouldnt a video tutorial be more effective for the step-by-step assembly?