Lasagna with Homemade Noodles

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This authentic, Italian Lasagna with Homemade Noodles has been passed down through my family. It combines a hearty meat sauce with three types of cheese and sheets of pasta made from scratch.

Lasagna with Homemade Noodles might seem intimidating, but they are really easy to make. This recipe is definitely not in the “fast weeknight dinners” bucket, but making lasagna from scratch is incredibly worth it. It does make for excellent leftovers during those busy weeks though! I grew up eating this recipe, and I was always so excited when it was on the weekend menu. Definitely kid friendly! Making pasta from scratch is somewhat therapeutic to me especially when you add in assembling the beautiful lasagna layers. Perfect for date night or a large dinner party.

Homemade Meat Sauce

Start by making the sauce as it’ll need time to simmer and for those delicious flavors to develop.

Homemade Meat Sauce Ingredients

The sauce for Lasagna with Homemade Noodles combines ground beef, onion, garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, beef broth, basil, oregano, parsley paprika, a bay leaf, salt, and pepper. It's the same sauce I use for my Homemade Spaghetti.

Lasagna Sauce Instructions

Using a large stock pot or Dutch oven, brown your ground beef. Drain off most of the grease but leave a little behind to sauté the onion and garlic.

Add tomato sauce, paste, and beef broth. Bring to boil and stir in spices. Turn down to simmer for about 1 ½ hours.

Homemade Lasagna Noodles

While you can purchase store-bought lasagna noodles, they are actually really easy to make at home. You also don’t have to cook homemade lasagna noodles! So, the time it would take to boil, cook, and dry the lasagna sheets can be used making fresh noodles that taste way better anyway.

To make the noodles, follow my Homemade Pasta with Kitchenaid recipe and stop after step 12 when you have your long sheets of pasta. I recommend doubling this recipe, so you’ll have enough lasagna noodles to fill a 9x13 casserole dish.

Kitchenaid makes the homemade pasta process SO much easier. Here’s the mixer I have. And the pasta attachment. Highly recommend. You can also make homemade lasagna noodles without a Kitchenaid. See FAQs below.

Once you have your long sheets of pasta the most important step is to take a long sheet and place it in the baking dish you're going to use for this Lasagna with Homemade Noodles recipe. This shows how much you need to cut lengthwise in order for the noodles to fit. The excess dough that is removed can be balled back up with the others to create a final sheet if you need it. Then you can use a fluted edged cutting wheel to cut them into lasagna noodle shapes. Or you can leave the edges smooth, as it makes no difference to the taste.

Lasagna with Homemade Noodles Assembly and Baking Instructions

Assemble Your Homemade Lasagna

Now for the fun part - assembly! Spray your baking dish with non-stick spray around the edges. Start by adding a thin layer of sauce across the bottom. This will keep the bottom layer from becoming too dry. Lay down a layer of noodles. Depending on the sheets of pasta you rolled out the number you need will vary. You will want them to all touch one another to spread out to either edge though. Typically, 3-4 will do the trick. With store-bought three is generally enough. Using a fork, spread ricotta cheese on top of this layer of noodles.

Next, add a generous layer of sauce.

Then a generous layer of shredded Mozzarella. I prefer to use fresh Mozzarella and shred it myself. It tastes much better and melts easier than the pre-shredded bag type.

And next, a layer of Parmesan. Again, I prefer to use fresh and shred my own.

After this, lay down another layer of noodles. Repeat the steps ricotta -> sauce -> Mozzarella -> Parmesan -> noodles until you reach the top of the baking dish. Once you place the last layer of noodles this will be the top of your lasagna. Top with a little sauce and more fresh Parmesan.

Bake Lasagna with Homemade Noodles

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes - 1 hour. You'll want the top to crisp up just a little bit.

Allow your lasagna to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Serving Instructions

Slice Lasagna with Homemade Noodles into large squares to serve. Use a spatula to remove and check out that cheese pull!

Top with some additional fresh Parmesan and/or parsley if you’d like. This recipe is very filling on its own, however it goes great with crusty garlic bread or a Panzanella Salad. I love to pair it with a bold, full, glass of red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Cab Franc.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought lasagna noodles instead of making them from scratch?

Of course! You will need to cook them though. Close to the time your sauce will be ready, bring a large, salted pot of water to boil. Add lasagna noodles but cook only ⅔ the time on package. They will continue to cook in the oven. Drain but do not rinse. Lay flat and allow to cool before assembling.

Can I make Lasagna with Homemade Noodles without a Kitchenaid?

Sure! It takes more time and elbow grease, but you don’t need anything fancy. Use the same recipe but instead of combining in a mixer you’ll mix and knead by hand. Use a rolling pin to roll out into long sheets.

What are some of your favorite variations on lasagna?

This is my holy grail lasagna recipe. However, its also delicious with Bolognese sauce. I have a great Homemade Gnocchi Bolognese. A lot of people like to use sausage in lasagna instead of ground beef, add fresh tomatoes, or change up the cheeses.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

This lasagna will stay good in your refrigerator, covered, for about 4-5 days. Simply heat back up in the microwave, oven, or toaster oven. You can freeze leftovers as well which are good up to three months. This recipe makes an amazing freezer meal. It heats up wonderfully.

You’ll likely have leftover sauce which can be used for Spaghetti and Meatballs or also frozen to use at a later time.

If you liked this recipe, you might also enjoy…

Best Homemade Gnocchi Bolognese

Pancetta Tomato Pasta

Homemade Meatballs