1. Prepare the Perfect Meat Sauce

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking them into small, uniform pieces with a wooden spoon. This browning process creates incredible depth of flavor that forms the foundation of your sauce. Once the meat develops a beautiful golden-brown color, add the diced onions and cook until they become translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, being careful not to let it burn.

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, and oregano to the meat mixture, stirring everything together until well combined. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 20-30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. Season with salt and pepper to taste, remembering that the cheese will add additional saltiness to the finished dish.

2. Cook the Lasagna Noodles to Perfection

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add the lasagna noodles, stirring gently to prevent sticking. Cook according to package directions until al dente, which typically takes 8-10 minutes. The noodles should be tender but still have a slight bite since they’ll continue cooking in the oven. Drain the noodles and lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel to prevent them from sticking together while you prepare the other components.

3. Create the Creamy Ricotta Mixture

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and a pinch of nutmeg. Mix everything together until smooth and well incorporated, creating a luscious, creamy mixture that will add richness to every layer. The eggs help bind the ricotta while baking, ensuring your lasagna holds together beautifully when sliced. Taste and adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.

4. Assemble Your Masterpiece

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce across the bottom of the dish – this prevents the noodles from sticking and adds flavor throughout. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping them to ensure complete coverage. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles, followed by one-third of the remaining meat sauce and one-third of the mozzarella cheese.

Repeat this layering process once more: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, half of the remaining meat sauce, and another third of mozzarella. Top with the final layer of noodles, remaining meat sauce, and finish with the remaining mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese for that gorgeous golden-brown top.

5. Bake to Golden Perfection

Cover the assembled lasagna tightly with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese surface to prevent sticking. Bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top. The edges should be slightly caramelized and the sauce should be bubbling around the sides, indicating that your homemade lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese is perfectly cooked.