Maggiano’s Lasagna Recipe | Ultimate Cheesy Comfort Classic

Every Christmas, my kitchen fills with the smell of simmering tomato sauce and melted cheese. That’s when I know it’s lasagna day. There’s something comforting about layering noodles, sauce, and creamy ricotta. It reminds me that good food takes time — and this Maggiano’s Lasagna recipe makes every minute worth it.

What Makes Maggiano’s Lasagna Special

Maggiano’s Little Italy is known for its warm Italian-American comfort food, and this lasagna captures that same restaurant magic right at home. Each layer is rich with hearty meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and golden, melted cheese.

You’ll spend about 2 hours and 30 minutes creating this dish from start to finish, but don’t worry — the steps are easy and forgiving. The result is a bubbling, fragrant pan that feeds the soul and easily becomes the centerpiece of your Christmas dinner table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Meat Sauce

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Cheese Filling

• 26 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp parsley, chopped

Lasagna Layers

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

You can swap the beef or sausage for turkey, chicken, or even a veggie crumble if you prefer. Provolone or fontina also make delicious cheese additions.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Maggiano’s Lasagna

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce

Cook the ground beef, sausage, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat until browned. Drain off the fat.

Then add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Stir in sugar, basil, fennel, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Simmer covered for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow simmer deepens the flavor beautifully.

2. Mix the Cheese Filling

Combine ricotta, egg, salt, pepper, and parsley in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and creamy.

3. Cook the Noodles

Boil lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

4. Assemble the Layers

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread 1 cup of meat sauce. Lay 3 noodles, then add 1/3 of the ricotta mixture, 1/3 of the mozzarella, and 1/4 cup of Parmesan. Repeat the layers two more times. Finish with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.

5. Bake to Perfection

Cover the pan with foil (spray the underside so it doesn’t stick). Bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 25 minutes until the top turns golden and bubbly.

Let it rest 15 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers settle and stay clean when served.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Maggiano’s Lasagna

• Simmer your sauce for the full 1.5 hours — it makes the flavor deeper and richer.
• Season lightly between layers for a well-balanced bite.
• Let the lasagna rest before cutting, so it holds its shape.
• For extra cheesiness, try adding a mix of fontina or provolone.

What to Serve with Maggiano’s Lasagna

Lasagna pairs wonderfully with simple Italian sides. Serve it with Perfect garlic bread pairings and Italian dinner sides or a Fresh Caprese salad with tomato, cucumber, and mozzarella.

You can also go cozy with Easy Italian penicillin soup for cold nights or a light Sausage pesto pasta for a flavorful weeknight meal.

For dessert, tiramisu or cannoli are classics that complete the Italian feast.

Storage and Reheating Guide

Refrigerating

Cool the lasagna completely before covering it. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Wrap the entire pan or individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Reheat refrigerated lasagna in the oven at 375°F for 25–30 minutes, covered. If frozen, bake for 60–75 minutes until heated through.

FAQ About Maggiano’s Lasagna

Maggiano’s Lasagna Recipe Card

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More Such Recipes

If you love hearty Italian comfort food, try these next:

• Creamy tomato and ground beef pasta for easy Italian dinners
• What makes Caprese sandwich a healthy side for pasta

Final Thoughts

Maggiano’s Lasagna isn’t just a meal. It’s a little piece of comfort layered with love and tradition. Every forkful feels like home — warm, cheesy, and full of slow-simmered flavor.

So this Christmas, let your kitchen smell like tomatoes and garlic again. Make it, share it, and watch everyone go back for seconds.

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