Mom’s Lasagna
Mom’s Lasagna Recipe: The Ultimate Winter Comfort Food
There’s something magical about a family recipe, and this lasagna is no exception. Straight from my mom's kitchen to yours, this dish is everything you need for a cozy winter meal. It’s the kind of lasagna that wraps you in warmth and comfort, the perfect antidote to chilly weather. Packed with layers of tender noodles, hearty meat sauce, and creamy cheeses, it's the definition of classic comfort food. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser, feeding up to 12 people from a single pan—ideal for holiday gatherings or meal prepping for the week.
Whether you’re celebrating with loved ones or just looking for an easy, satisfying meal to carry you through the week, this lasagna checks every box.
Why My Mom’s Lasagna is a Winter Essential
Lasagna has a unique power to make a home feel cozier and warmer. When the oven heats up and the aroma of bubbling cheese and rich sauce fills the air, it's almost like a hug in food form. This recipe is perfect for winter for several reasons:
It’s hearty and filling: With layers of beef, cheeses, and noodles, this lasagna is guaranteed to keep you full and satisfied.
It’s great for gatherings: A single pan typically feeds 12, making it perfect for holiday dinners or family get-togethers.
It’s perfect for meal prep: You can store leftovers for days, so you’ll have ready-made meals throughout the week.
You can make this with a homemade marinara if you’re up for it (check out my recipe here!) but a jar of Rao’s marinara does the trick just as well, saving you time without sacrificing flavor.
Ingredients
1.5 pounds ground beef
1.5 jars of your favorite marinara sauce (I prefer Rao’s)
1 egg
1 16oz container ricotta cheese
3/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 packages thin no-cook lasagna noodles (I use Barilla oven-ready flat noodles)
1/2 cup water
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Spray a 9x13 deep baking dish with avocado oil spray (or your preferred non-stick spray).Cook the Meat Sauce
In a large pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Break the meat into small pieces as it browns to create a crumbly texture. Once the meat is fully cooked, add the marinara sauce and 1/2 cup of water, stir, and let it simmer on low with the lid on.Make the Cheese Mixture
In a separate bowl, beat the egg, then mix in ricotta, cottage cheese, Parmesan, and a dash of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.Assemble the Lasagna
Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of your baking dish.
Lay a single layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a thin layer of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan.
Repeat these layers two more times, finishing with the remaining meat sauce and a final sprinkle of mozzarella.
Bake
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes to an hour, checking it around the 45-minute mark. Remove the foil during the last 10 minutes to allow the cheese to turn golden and bubbly.Let it Rest & Serve
Once the lasagna is out of the oven, let it sit for a few minutes to firm up. Then, slice and serve!
Serving Tips
This lasagna is incredibly versatile. Serve it with a crisp Caesar salad, some garlic bread, or a glass of red wine to make it feel like a complete meal. Leftovers reheat beautifully, so enjoy it over a few meals if you don’t have a crowd to feed.
Make it Your Own
Feel free to play around with the recipe. You could add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to the layers for extra flavor and texture. For a spicier twist, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
Mom’s Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a large pan, brown the ground beef along with salt, pepper, garlic salt, onion powder. As the meat browns, use a masher to break it down until it’s crumbly.
- Add the red sauce along with 1/2 cup of water. Stir well and let it simmer on low heat with the lid on.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg and combine it with ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, and a bit of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix everything together until light and fluffy.
- Assemble the lasagna (see below)
- Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Start checking at the 45-minute mark. Remove the foil at 35 minutes. When the cheese is golden brown and bubbling, the lasagna is done.
- Let the lasagna sit for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
- Spray an 9x13 deep baking dish with avocado oil spray.
- Spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of the dish.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, then sprinkle with a thin layer of shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
- Repeat these layers, typically creating three layers in total. Finish by topping with the remaining meat sauce and a final layer of mozzarella cheese.
