Easy Homemade Lasagna Recipe (with a Make-Ahead Freezer Option)
This delicious and easy homemade lasagna recipe with a freezer option is perfect for dinner with family, friends, or on your own! This delicious lasagna can also be frozen before baking, so it can be used as a make-ahead freezer meal for yourself or someone who needs a dinner, like a new mom.
Hey y’all, Tiffany here. This homemade freezer lasagna recipe has been handed down in my family. My mom is a professional at making it! It’s also one of our favorite 12 easy make-ahead freezer meals.
Ingredients for Easy Homemade Classic Lasagna Recipe
- 1 pound cooked hamburger
- 1 box cooked lasagna noodles (I cook with a tbsp of vegetable oil in the water to prevent sticking)
- 24 oz cottage cheese
- 4 eggs
- 3 Tbsp parsley (optional)
- 2 large jars of tomato sauce
- grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, and more)
Lately, I’ve been preferring to use oven-ready regular lasagna noodles for my homemade lasagna recipe. They make the lasagna more firm. We also enjoy experimenting with different types of cheese, including ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese, in our meat sauce.
Directions for Homemade Classic Lasagna Recipe
For my favorite lasagna recipe, I love to mix eggs, cottage cheese, fresh parsley, fresh basil, and grated cheese in a bowl before assembling.
In a casserole or baking dish, start by layering homemade sauce made from tomato paste and crushed tomatoes on the bottom.
On top of the lasagna noodles, layer lasagna sheets, and the cottage cream cheese mixture, then add ground beef hamburger seasoned with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and make the meat sauce before baking the lasagna.
Repeat these layers one more time: spread the ricotta cream cheese mixture, sprinkle ground beef, and top with lasagna noodles in the baking dish. Then, add the remaining grated cheese or Parmesan cheese and meat sauce before baking.
Bake the lasagna in the oven at 350 for about an hour (follow the directions on the box of the lasagna noodles) and until the cheese is bubbling.
Serve hot! Enjoy these delicious family recipes. We love serving our lasagna recipes with garlic bread for a delightful meal.
Or keep scrolling for more details about how to freeze.
Freezer Option for Easy Homemade Lasagna
For an easy freezer option with your homemade lasagna, simply layer your lasagna ingredients, cover them with tin foil, and stash them in the freezer! When you’re ready to indulge, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a few hours. Then, pop it in the oven and bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Alternatively, you can bake it first and then freeze individual portions for quick and effortless meals later on. We like to use tin foil casserole dishes to make our freezer meals because they’re convenient and make cleanup a breeze. Plus, it ensures we don’t tie up all our nice dishes in the freezer, making it easier to share a comforting meal with friends or family in need, like a new mom or someone unwell.
Easy Homemade Lasagna (with a Make-Ahead Freezer Option!)
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked hamburger
- 1 box cooked lasagna noodles (I cook with a tbsp of vegetable oil in with the water to prevent sticking)
- 24 oz cottage cheese
- 4 eggs
- 3 Tbsp parsley (optional)
- 2 large jars of tomato sauce
- grated cheese (cheddar, mozzeralla, and more)
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the eggs, cottage cheese, and parsley (also some grated cheese if desired)
- Spread tomato sauce ont he bottom of a 9x11 glass pan
- Place a layer of oven-read lasagna noodles (or noodles you already cooked)
- On top of the noodles, layer the cottage cheese mixture and sprinkle hamburger.
- Repeat the layer of noodles, cottage cheese, and hamburger.
- Place a final layer of noodles on the top and sprinkle on the rest of the grated cheese.
- Bake at 350 degrees for one hour (or follow the directions on the box of lasagna noodles) until cheese is bubbling.
Here are some side dishes that go well with this Easy Lasagna Recipe:
Garlic Bread
Crispy bread slices topped with garlic-infused butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and a blend of Italian seasoning, with lots of flavors with every bite. Perfect for dipping in rich tomato sauce, some leftover spaghetti sauce, or savoring on its own as a mouthwatering appetizer or side dish for an easy lasagna recipe.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with creamy Caesar dressing, grated Parmesan cheese, cheese filling, and crunchy homemade croutons. The creamy dressing coats each leaf, while the tangy Parmesan cheese adds depth. Combined with the savory cheese filling and crispy croutons, it’s a satisfying salad with flavor and texture.
Roasted Vegetables
A colorful assortment of zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms, roasted to caramelized perfection with olive oil, fragrant Italian seasoning, and herbs. The vegetables develop a golden-brown crust, bringing out their natural sweetness, while the herbs infuse them with irresistible flavor.
Caprese Salad
Slices of ripe tomatoes, topped with shredded mozzarella cheese or ricotta cheese, and fresh basil leaves, all drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil. This classic Caprese combination is perfect for our best lasagna recipe.
Steamed Green Beans
Tender green beans seasoned with salt and pepper, preserving their crisp texture, and color. With each bite, the beans offer a satisfying crunch and flavor, making them a delightful side dish to our classic lasagna.
Antipasto Platter
An assortment of cured meats, including savory salami, spicy pepperoni, and tender prosciutto, paired with an array of cheeses such as cottage cheese, creamy mozzarella, and ricotta cheese mixture. Enhanced with olives, briny caper berries, and crisp pickled vegetables.
Garlic Roasted Potatoes
Bite-sized potatoes with a blend of minced garlic, olive oil, and herbs like rosemary and thyme, then roasted until golden and crispy on the outside, yet irresistibly creamy and tender on the inside. Each bite has a delightful contrast of textures.
Bruschetta
Slices of toasted bread rubbed with garlic for a classic bruschetta topping. The bread is then topped with diced tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
Breadsticks
Seasoned with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, delicious and crunchy with every bite. These are perfect for dipping into rich marinara sauce or creamy ricotta mixture, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Grilled Asparagus
Fresh asparagus spears grilled until tender and slightly charred, seasoned with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of lemon juice.
Did you make this recipe?
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© Tiffany
CUISINE: Dinner / CATEGORY: Recipes
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