Classic Meat Lasagna (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 medium yellow onion.
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil.
03 - 1 pound lean ground beef.
04 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
05 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
06 - 24-25 ounce jar marinara sauce (3 cups).
07 - 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (3 cups).
08 - 15 dry lasagna noodles (regular, not no-boil).
09 - 15-16 ounces whole-milk ricotta cheese (2 cups).

# Instructions:

01 - Position oven rack in middle and preheat to 400°F, ensuring proper temperature for even cooking.
02 - Finely dice onion, heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high until it shimmers with warmth.
03 - Add onion, beef, salt, and pepper to skillet, breaking meat into small pieces while cooking until nicely browned.
04 - After meat cools slightly, combine with most of the marinara sauce, reserving some for the bottom of pan.
05 - Spread thin layer of plain marinara sauce across bottom of 9x13-inch baking dish carefully.
06 - Layer 5 noodles in dish, breaking if needed to fit, then spread 1 cup ricotta and 1.5 cups meat sauce.
07 - Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella over meat sauce, creating first complete layer of lasagna structure.
08 - Repeat layers: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella, saving some cheese for final topping.
09 - Add final layer of noodles and remaining sauce, cover dish tightly with foil to trap moisture.
10 - Bake covered for one hour, then check noodle tenderness by inserting knife through all layers.
11 - Uncover, add remaining mozzarella cheese, bake 8-10 minutes until cheese bubbles and browns lightly.
12 - Let lasagna rest for 15 minutes before cutting, allowing layers to set properly for clean servings.

# Notes:

01 - Feeds large group.
02 - Can be made ahead.
03 - Freezes well.
04 - Perfect comfort food.

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