Craft the Legendary Maggianos-Style Lasagna Recipe at Home

Layers of rich, hearty flavors define this mouthwatering authentic maggianos-style lasagna recipe that brings Italian comfort straight to your dinner table.

Tender pasta sheets nestle between generous portions of seasoned ground beef and creamy ricotta cheese.

Every bite promises a symphony of robust marinara and melted mozzarella that melts in your mouth.

The carefully balanced blend of herbs and spices creates a depth of flavor reminiscent of traditional Italian kitchens.

Secrets passed down through generations shine through in this classic dish that transforms a simple meal into a memorable experience.

Home cooks can recreate this restaurant-quality lasagna with simple ingredients and a little culinary passion.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for your next family gathering or weekend dinner celebration.

Quick Recipe Overview

What Goes Into Maggianos-Style Lasagna

• Ground Beef: Delivers rich, hearty protein foundation with robust flavor profile.
• Onion: Provides sweet, aromatic base for developing deep sauce complexity.
• Garlic: Offers intense, pungent flavor that elevates sauce’s overall taste.
• Crushed Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Tomato Paste: Create vibrant, layered tomato depth with balanced acidity.
• Italian Seasoning: Introduces classic Mediterranean herb blend for authentic taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and exciting spicy undertone.
• Water or Red Wine: Helps balance sauce consistency and enhance flavor complexity.

• Ricotta Cheese: Delivers creamy, smooth texture with mild tangy notes.
• Egg: Binds cheese mixture and provides structural integrity.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, nutty flavor and salty dimension.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh herbal accent to cheese blend.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creates signature stretchy, melty layer with mild flavor.
• Provolone Cheese: Adds deeper, slightly sharper cheese complexity.
• Lasagna Noodles: Provides classic layered structure for traditional Italian comfort dish.
• Olive Oil: Enables smooth sautéing and adds subtle fruity undertone.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance and balance overall recipe seasoning.

Helpful Tools For Maggianos-Style Lasagna

• Large skillet: Essential for making rich, flavorful meat sauce.
• Mixing bowl: Perfect for combining ricotta cheese mixture smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal size for layering lasagna noodles and ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately portion ingredients for balanced flavor.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring sauce and mixing cheese blend.
• Aluminum foil: Needed to cover lasagna during initial baking stage.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing lasagna after resting.

How To Make Maggianos-Style Lasagna

• Create Flavor-Packed Meat Base

Brown ground beef in a sizzling skillet with fragrant onions and garlic. Pour in rich tomato ingredients and aromatic seasonings. Let the sauce simmer and develop deep, complex flavors for about 20 minutes.

• Craft Creamy Cheese Blend

Whisk ricotta with egg, Parmesan, and fresh parsley until silky and smooth. This mixture will add luxurious texture to your lasagna.

• Build Delicious Layers

Spread a foundation of meat sauce in a baking dish. Carefully construct alternating layers of noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce, and melty cheese. Ensure each layer is evenly distributed for perfect bites.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Cover lasagna with foil and bake until heated through. Remove foil to allow cheese to transform into a beautiful golden crust. Let the dish rest briefly to set and intensify flavors.

• Serve and Savor

Slice your masterpiece and plate with complementary sides like crisp salad and warm garlic bread. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this homemade classic.

Maggianos-Style Lasagna Tips And Swaps

• Pro Sauce Simmering: Let the meat sauce develop deep, rich flavors by simmering longer – up to 45 minutes on low heat for extra taste intensity.
• Freezer-Friendly Feast: Prepare this lasagna ahead and freeze uncooked for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before baking for convenient meal prep.
• Lighter Protein Swap: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or lean ground chicken for a lower-fat version without sacrificing delicious flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute meat sauce with roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and mushrooms. Add plant-based protein such as lentils or crumbled tofu for hearty texture.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and verify that tomato products are certified gluten-free. Check all ingredient labels carefully to ensure dietary compliance.

Serving Maggianos-Style Lasagna Made Easy

• Rustic Italian Family Feast: Serve this hearty lasagna with classic accompaniments that elevate the dining experience.
• Salad Symphony: Toss a crisp mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a light balsamic vinaigrette to balance the rich lasagna layers.
• Garlic Bread Delight: Prepare warm, crusty garlic bread with a golden, buttery crust that perfectly complements the lasagna’s robust meat sauce and melted cheeses.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the lasagna’s deep, savory flavors and create a restaurant-quality meal at home.

How To Store Maggianos-Style Lasagna Properly

• Fridge-Friendly Storage: Transfer cooled lasagna to an airtight container, sealing tightly to lock in flavors. Refrigerate for up to 4 days, keeping layers intact and preventing moisture buildup.
• Freezer Preservation Technique: Slice lasagna into individual portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze flat for maximum space efficiency, storing up to 3 months without quality loss.
• Reheating Magic: Thaw overnight in refrigerator, then warm in oven at 350F for 20-25 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent cheese from burning, ensuring creamy texture and steaming hot center.
• Meal Prep Strategy: Prepare lasagna components ahead of time – sauce can be made 2-3 days early, cheese mixture mixed day before. Assemble quickly when ready to bake, saving precious weeknight cooking time.

Authentic Maggianos-Style Lasagna Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Maggiano’s-style lasagna invites Italian culinary passion to your dinner table. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted cheese create a comforting masterpiece you’ll savor with each delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
• 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded provolone cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• ½ cup water or red wine (for depth of flavor)
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked al dente

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Instructions

1. Sauce Creation: In a large skillet, sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until aromatic, then add ground beef and cook until thoroughly browned, draining excess fat.
2. Sauce Development: Blend crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste into the meat mixture, seasoning with Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes; introduce red wine and simmer for 20 minutes to intensify flavors.
3. Cheese Preparation: Whisk ricotta, egg, Parmesan, and parsley into a smooth, cohesive mixture that will serve as the creamy binding layer.
4. Lasagna Assembly: Preheat oven to 375F and prepare baking dish with a thin sauce base; layer noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella-provolone cheese blend, repeating twice and ensuring a generous cheese topping.
5. Baking Process: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and continue until cheese turns golden and sauce bubbles enthusiastically.
6. Serving: Rest lasagna for 10 minutes to stabilize layers, then slice and plate alongside warm garlic bread and a crisp green salad for a complete dining experience.

Notes

• Choose Quality Meat: Select fresh ground beef with moderate fat content (80/20) for rich, juicy flavor without excessive greasiness.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer sauce slowly, stirring occasionally, to develop deep flavors and prevent burning; reduce liquid until sauce thickens naturally.
• Layer Strategically: Create even, balanced layers by spreading ingredients carefully and avoiding overstuffing to ensure proper cooking and clean slicing.
• Cheese Temperature Matters: Use room-temperature ricotta and eggs for smoother mixing and more uniform cheese distribution throughout lasagna layers.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg