This homemade lasagna recipe is a classic baked pasta dish that combines meat sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and tender noodles. It is commonly served for family dinners, weeknight meals, gatherings, and holidays because it feeds many people at once and can be made ahead.
The dish has long been a favorite in home kitchens due to its simple preparation and reliable results. Leftovers also store and reheat well, making it practical for meal prep.
What Is Easy Homemade Lasagna?
Easy homemade lasagna is a layered pasta bake made with savory meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and cheese that melts into a golden top. It’s popular across home kitchens because it works well for family dinners, gatherings, or weekend cooking. This béchamel-style version keeps things smooth, balanced, and less greasy than ricotta-style lasagna. It also reheats well, so leftovers rarely go to waste.
Why This Easy Homemade Lasagna Is Loved
People enjoy this lasagna for its layered comfort and balanced flavor. The béchamel sauce gives it a silkier texture that blends with the meat sauce instead of competing with it. The pasta sheets absorb flavor as the dish bakes, and the mozzarella topping adds stretch and browning. It feels classic yet accessible, and the process stays simple enough for a weeknight or meal prep. It’s the kind of easy family dinner that doesn’t too much efforts
Ingredients Overview for Béchamel Lasagna
This lasagna uses three components: meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and the final cheese topping. Ground beef builds flavor, while tomato paste and crushed tomatoes deepen the sauce without making it watery. The béchamel sauce adds creaminess and replaces ricotta. Parmesan and mozzarella melt on top for color and stretch. Dried lasagna sheets work well, but fresh sheets cook faster. Tomato sauce can be swapped for marinara, and ground turkey or plant-based meat also works as a substitution. Leftovers also work well for meal prep lunches.
Ingredients (with Measurements)
The Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Béchamel Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 tbsp flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 pinch nutmeg (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
For Assembling the Lasagna
- 12–15 lasagna sheets
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- ½ cup grated parmesan
How to Make the Lasagna
Cook the Meat Sauce for Lasagna
- heat olive oil in a pan
- sauté onion until soft
- add garlic and cook briefly
- add ground beef and season with salt and pepper
- cook until browned and broken up
- stir in tomato paste and crushed tomatoes
- add oregano and simmer until thickened
- taste and adjust seasoning
Make the Béchamel Sauce
- melt butter in a saucepan
- whisk in flour to form a smooth paste
- slowly pour in milk while whisking
- cook until the sauce thickens
- season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg
Layer the Easy Homemade Lasagna
- spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the baking dish
- add lasagna sheets
- top with meat sauce and béchamel
- repeat layers until the dish is filled
- finish with béchamel and cheese on top
Bake Until Bubbly and Golden
- bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35–45 minutes
- rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing
Why This Easy Homemade Lasagna Tastes Good
The béchamel and meat sauce balance each other so the dish never feels dry or heavy. The milk-based béchamel coats the pasta and helps everything bake together without separating. Parmesan brings saltiness and mozzarella melts into smooth, stretchy cheese. As the lasagna rests after baking, the layers hold better and the flavors settle, which makes the slices taste even richer.Since lasagna tends to be richer and satisfying, many home cooks pair heavy dinner nights with a quick grab and go breakfast the next day, such as our smash-style breakfast muffin that takes just minutes to assemble.
Helpful Tips and Variations for Lasagna
- Use oven-ready sheets to skip boiling and keep structure firm
- Swap the meat with turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter version
- Add spinach to the béchamel for extra greens
- Use fresh lasagna sheets for faster baking
- Freeze assembled lasagna before baking for meal prep
- Reheat slices covered so they don’t dry out
- Serve with bread or salad to complete the meal
Benefits of This Easy Homemade Lasagna
This lasagna is filling and works well for family-style dinners. It also makes practical leftovers that store neatly and reheat without losing moisture. Since it uses béchamel sauce, the texture stays consistent and less oily. It can be portioned for meal prep and frozen for busy days. The recipe feels classic, budget-friendly, and suitable for both weeknights and gatherings. For a lighter option on busy days, many home cooks also turn to healthy rice bowls that pack well for lunch and also If you enjoy quick midday recipes, explore more of our dinner recipes for easy meal prep ideas.
Conclusion
Easy homemade lasagna made with béchamel sauce offers balanced flavor and a smooth texture that holds together well. It’s reliable for meal prep and freezer storage and suits both casual and shared meals. Once cooled, the slices cut cleanly and keep their layers, making it a simple and dependable dinner option.
