Mom's Lasagna Recipe

Sunday, April 4, 2021
Mom's lasagna was always a treat around the holiday, especially Easter or Christmas time.


She would make everything from scratch and it would take her a labor of love in hours.


Homemade ricotta cheese, the lasagna noodles cut by hand, sauce, meatballs, sausage all from scratch!


Of course now in busier times, we have all the necessary ingredients to make a lasagna in record time and it is so much easier.


Back in Bari, Italy where mom came from, everything was made by hand special during a holiday.


You can use all store-bought ingredients and this lasagna will be a huge hit.


Mom made her lasagna with hard-boiled eggs in a layer, that was how her Region made it, you can skip that layer and just add more meat if you aren't a fan.


Here is an awesome recipe for mom's lasagna, we miss her every day and make it in her memory every year.


Easter and Christmas Day are our traditions to keep her memory alive in the kitchen making this recipe.


Scroll down to the bottom to print the recipe off.





this is a lasagna pasta layered with meat sauce and melted mozzarella cheese on a white dish with meatballs and sausage





Where Did it Start?



Lasagna has been claimed by many countries including Greece, England, and Italy and there are many written theories where it started.


Most of the books written show this pasta dish was invented in Napoli or was it just first recorded in Napoli? No one seems to know.


When the Romans turned up, it is theorized that they could have been influenced by the existing Greek food culture all before BC of course.


Both are layered pasta dishes, with different shaped kinds of pasta, and Roman way (which my grandmother and grandfather came from) made with tomato sauce much like a bolognese.


Wherever it started, it's one of the most popular Italian pasta dishes on the planet!


Lasagna is actually a layered pasta casserole.


It's full of seasoned meats such as sausage and meatball mixture, ricotta cheese and sauce.


One of the gourmet meals made in an Italian household during the holiday season.


It's a one-pan meal.


Usually served with delicious hard-crusted Italian garlic bread, a good Chianti wine and nice antipasto salad.




This is a photo of homemade lasagna and my mom's recipe. It is loaded with mozzarella cheese on top. The inside has ricotta cheese and a layer of crushed meatballs an sausage.




The Sauce





We always make a traditional homemade sauce (sugo in Italian) it's loaded with meatballs, sausage, and braciole which is a stuffed meat roll.


The sauce is usually made the day before or early Sunday morning after the meatballs are fried.


We always had and still have fried meatballs for a Sunday morning breakfast tradition, mom always made a double batch.




how to make homemade lasagna from scratch with homemade sauce, cheese, herbs and this is ready for the oven





How Much To Make?



I always double the recipe and use 2 pounds of lasagna noodles using a Turkey-sized pan to fit it in.


You always want the room at the top in case the noodles swell or the juice will overflow, so make sure the casserole dish you choose is large enough and has at least 3 inches at the top for expansion room.


The lasagna above will feed around 18 to 24 people and has two pounds of pasta noodles.


If you have to double the recipe, always make sure you make extra sauce and other ingredients to accommodate this large amount of layers.




homemade lasagna noodles with ricotta layered and sauce




Suggestions:


  • Substitute wheat noodles for diabetic versions
  • Use ground turkey for lower fat meatballs
  • For quicker versions of lasagna, use store-bought meatballs and sausage and bottled sauce
  • Other cheese can be substituted if you like cottage cheese and grew up with those traditions ( as I have written in this recipe, this is our version, adapt it the way you like and use this recipe as a guideline)




homemade Italian sauce and meatballs in a big pan of tomatoes





Tips



  • You can substitute ground chuck sauteed with all the meatball ingredients and add sauce to simmer for your meat
  • Also, you can purchase loose sausage and mix in with the meatballs
  • Always use whole milk cheeses
  • Garnish with fresh herbs for best results IE parsley and basil
  • If you use bottled sauce make sure its meat flavored
  • For those who like spicy foods add red pepper flakes lightly over the meat layer
  • Don't overcook the pasta it will finish cooking in the oven



this is a collage on how to make authentic Italian Lasagna with boiled egg



Boiled Eggs



Some folks are wondering about this layer, it's a traditional way mom made hers from her Region.


We love it and they actually fight to get the egg as it's hidden throughout the lasagna and if you don't space it out evenly, you may not get one of the eggs in your slice.


It puts a smile on everyone's face at the tables when someone yells "I found the egg".


Just omit that layer if you don't care for eggs.



this is a lasagna with the meat and cheese layer



Ingredients You Will Need:



  • Traditional Sunday Sauce Recipe or use your favorite store-bought
  • whole milk ricotta
  • hard-boiled eggs sliced thick and set aside ( Optional this is how mom made it from Bari, Italy)
  • eggs
  • grating cheese
  • lasagna noodles
  • Italian mild or hot sausage drained ( for homemade sausage recipe click here)
  • meatballs
  • garlic
  • fresh chopped parsley
  • shredded whole milk mozzarella
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • fresh basil leaves
  • Optional: red pepper flakes






The Layers And Very Important Step



One important step is to alternative the noodles to go different ways.


Start one row vertical, then next horizontal.


Repeat alternating the pasta noodles so when you cut this is will hold together perfectly!



homemade lasagna noodles with sauce, meat and cheese baked



Other Layer Suggestions:

  • spinach and meatballs crushed
  • sausage, peppers, and mushrooms
  • shrimp, spinach, ricotta
  • note: if you would rather have a non-Italian Mexican style you can add taco meat, cheddar, and pinto or black beans
  • for all vegetarian use shredded blotted dry zucchini with spinach and ricotta cheese, pecorino romano, garlic, salt, pepper, and mixed Italian freshly chopped herbs



this is the cheese topped baked lasagna



Pin for later







Try Some Of Our Other Favorite Recipes




Traditional Sunday Sauce


Mom's Tuna Casserole


Mom's Bake Italian Hamburgers


Mom's Baked Sausage and Peppers




this is a layer of boiled egg in baked lasagna



Easy to Make



Don't be intimidated to try making lasagna, it truly is a simple all-in-one pan meal.


I know it seems time-consuming but so worth it!


Everyone will rave about it, and remember what I said, make it the way you like it.


Use the ingredients you prefer, just use a good sauce and lots of melted whole milk mozzarella for the win!!




homemade lasagna, Easter, Holiday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, pasta, Macaroni, baked lasagna
pasta, Italian food,
Italian
Yield: 14
Author:

This is a photo of homemade lasagna and my mom's recipe. It is loaded with mozzarella cheese on top. The inside has ricotta cheese and a layer of crushed meatballs an sausage.

Mom's Lasagna Recipe

prep time: 25 Mcook time: 45 Mtotal time: 70 M
This is a version of homemade lasagna from the Region my mom was from. In Bari, Italy her mom taught her to make this lasagna using a layer of boiled egg. That will optional to those not familiar with this version. Lasagna was always made during any holiday.

ingredients:

  • Traditional Sunday Sauce Recipe or use your favorite store-bought
  • 2 lbs of whole milk ricotta or homemade
  • 6 hard-boiled eggs sliced thick and set aside ( Optional this is how mom made it from Bari, Italy)
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • grating cheese
  • 1 lb of lasagna noodles, cooked drained, and spread out on wax paper
  • 1 lb of loose cooked Italian mild or hot sausage drained ( for homemade sausage recipe click here)
  • 12 homemade meatballs in sauce crushed (click here for the recipe)
  • 4 cloves finely minced garlic
  • 1 cup fresh chopped parsley and fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • 4 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 13x9 pan
  • Preparation:

instructions:

  1. Cook lasagna noodles al dente, drain, and spread out on wax paper.
  2. In a medium bowl mix ricotta, 2 eggs beaten, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 2 tablespoons grating cheese, mix until well blended.
  3. In a medium fry pan saute the sausage until cooked.
  4. Add to crushed meatballs, mix together. Add some sauce to this mixture around 1 cup) set aside.
  5. Put this lasagna together:
  6. Line the 13x9 pan with a layer of noodles, switch directions as you layer them.
  7. First layer place hard-boiled eggs on the bottom, spread with sauce on top, grating cheese, some parsley, another layer of noodles.
  8. Next add the meat, noodles more sauce some grating cheese, mozzarella.
  9. In the last layer spread the ricotta on top and sprinkle with mozzarella, no sauce and some grating cheese with parsley.
  10. Top the ricotta mixture with lasagna noodles adds sauce more mozzarella, grating cheese, rest of the garlic, any parsley left.
  11. Bake at 325 until nicely browned on top around 20 minutes or broil the top for a crispier cheese on top. Garnish with fresh basil.
Calories
425
Fat (grams)
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
9
Carbs (grams)
24
Created using The Recipes Generator




Mom's Lasagna Pin for later




this is a pin for later how to make Italian authentic lasagna



More Pasta Recipes to Try?


Baked Chicken Primavera Penne
Cold Pasta Salad
Tagliatelle Peas and Prosciutto
Classic Baked Ziti
Chicken Rigatoni with Hot Sauce
Noodles Romano
Parmesan Veggie Penne
Ziti with Sausage and Peppers
Chicken Riggie Fest



This is a photo of homemade lasagna and my mom's recipe. It is loaded with mozzarella cheese on top. The inside has ricotta cheese and a layer of crushed meatballs an sausage.



Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2013. It was edited and re-published in 2019

28 comments

  1. Yes it will get busier in your job.Lucky you can enjoy after work this great lasagna:)

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  2. I couldn't agree more Claudia. It's a shame that families don't have the opportunity to have time to spend with family on this the most family oriented day. When I was a kid, you were lucky if you found even a 7-11 open to get the flash bulbs that you forgot to buy to take pics of the pretty table. Because everyone knew it was Thanksgiving, and no one expected anyone to be open before 9am the next day. And now it's faster, earlier, in-your-face retail... Oh well, "the good ole days" are gone and we move on. I hope you enjoy the time you do get to spend with your loved ones. Thanks for all you do.

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  3. Delicious lasagna that make my mouth water!Happy thanksgiving week,dear!

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  4. This lasagna dish does look amazing. Your mom definitely had some talent in the kitchen and you are lucky that she passed these along. I am sure they conjure up wonderful memories also.
    Work does sometimes envelope people's lives around the holidays and in these times it is more prevalent than ever. Enjoy the time with your family this holiday season. XOXO

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  5. We have 2 radio stations that switched to Christmas music 10 days before Thanksgiving. By the time Christmas gets here no one is in the Christmas spirit any more. Do the stores really make that much more money by being open at night? I was just listening to the radio and they said Black Friday isn't even a big savings day any more. The best time to save money is last 2 weeks before Christmas.
    By the way the lasagna sounds wonderful.

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  6. I don't envy you having to have anything at all to do with Black Friday. I guess I'm fortunate to have the holidays off from work still, but I do miss the big family get togethers as a kid.

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  7. I so agree with you, people should be home with their families, not out working (or shopping). I wish people would put an end to this by not going to the Thursday sales.

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  8. Good luck with all the craziness! You're awesome - what a terrific classic lasagna!

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  9. Ciao Claudia-I feel for you and know that this year will be tough for many in the retail business. Enjoy the moments together that you have this Thanksgiving. Your mom's lasagna looks delicious. Happy Thanksgiving and hugs. xxoo

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  10. That's terrible Claudia! I'm sorry it's going to be a short holiday for you all to spend together. Your lasagna looks incredibly good with the sausage and meatballs! My Grandpa's side was from Bari too!

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  11. Good luck working black Friday. You are right, job market is terrible. I've been looking for work for 16 months, filling out online applications going on interviews and nothing yet. I may have to try and get into retail. Your lasagna looks great.

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  12. I actually hate black friday! The thought of getting up so early to fight people in the stores for some clothes just doesn't seem worth it. I hate crowds! But, I definitely don't hate this lasagna! We will be having my grandma's homemade lasagna as our first course on Thanksgiving!

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  13. Opening all day on Thanksgiving Day... Our values are being eliminated, which is the source of ALL the problems we now face. Money and things are first and all else second. What if everyone cherished family and friends as much as you and I. Can you imagine the amount of joy... It would resonate around the world!!

    Hugs and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Claudia!

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  14. BTW- I made your pumpkin pie recipe last night. Can you believe it's the first pumpkin pie I EVER made?! OMG hubby said it was the best pumpkin pie he ever ate! I have to agree with him... Thank you :)

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  15. Hi Claudia, I know how you feel. The past few years I helped out during the holidays at a kitchen store. I hated working when my family was all home and in from out of town. I do hope you get to spend some time with them.

    As for your moms lasagna it sounds fantastic. I adore lasagna and will print this recipe. I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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  16. I am a traditionalist in that I do not think of Christmas until after Thanksgiving, do not participate in Black Friday regardless of saving a buck... I have yet to want anything so badly as to get caught up in that maddening rush and have yet not been able to find what I want at a fair price in the latter weeks following... good luck this week and season and don't forget to enter - only a couple more weeks left & you got a perfect record...

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  17. This culture is so overly consumerist it's pathetic ... I am so sorry you have to suffer for other people's greed. I wish you had more time to spend with your family, but I really hope that the time you do have is wonderful and memorable. xoxo

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  18. I am hugely disappointed in so many stores opening at 12:01 a..m. on Black Friday. I understand the need - in this economy - but I do feel that the same presents would get bought - at 6 a.m. I worked retail for many years during salad days. I liked the hustle and bustle of the holiday. I just wouldn't like being deprived of my holiday. It is a beauty - that your parent gave you - the recipes and the time together at the table. The lasagne is stunning and happily - lasagne can be made early. Wishing you "catch up" time later!

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  19. I am so glad you commented on the early store hours. This is self defeating. A day to say thanks and being torn from the family. It is wrong.

    Your lasagna is right.

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  20. I am so glad you commented on the early store hours. This is self defeating. A day to say thanks and being torn from the family. It is wrong.

    Your lasagna is right.

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  21. Dear Claudia, I don't know when shopping became the focal point of family. People schedule their gathering around when a store will open. This is such a shallow way of living. I know that times are hard. They are hard for everyone. So much has been lost in this transition. I wonder what these youngsters will remember. Their parents going shopping?
    I know that your family will have Thanksgiving everyday. You are a wonderful person with your values in tack.
    Blessings from your friend, Catherine xo

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  22. I'm glad making one of your mom's cherished dishes can bring you comfort. It sounds fabulous!

    Yes, I agree with you...Black Friday has gotten out of control. I'm sorry it affects your life and family time...that stinks!

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  23. I totally agree with you about the stores opening now on Thanksgiving day. I really hate that they are cutting into a day that should be set aside for family and togetherness. It should be sacred. So sad....

    Denise @ Creative Kitchen

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  24. Looks delicious Claudia and lasagna was my second choice for Christmas dinner.

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  25. It definitely looks very comforting, flavourful and tasty...perfect for family gatherings!

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  26. I bet you do miss it all, Claudia! What a great dish! I love lasagna and have to try it this way, eggs included! Thanks!

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  27. I'm so glad I found this recipe! I love Italian food, and this recipe was delicious! Thanks for breaking it down step-by-step too!

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  28. Yummy! Excited to have this traditional Italian Lasagna. Love the addition of egg. That's something we haven't done before!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia