Imagine creating a mouth-watering, authentic Italian lasagna without the traditional hassle of pre-boiling noodles or spending hours in the kitchen. This One Step Lasagna with Sausage and Basil is your ultimate weeknight dinner solution that delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Packed with rich Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and fragrant fresh basil, this recipe will transform your dinner routine and impress even the pickiest eaters in your family.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Ensure the oven rack is positioned in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the Italian sausage, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and has developed a rich, golden color, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the cooked sausage and set aside. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce to prevent the lasagna from sticking.
- Layer the lasagna noodles directly into the baking dish without pre-boiling, ensuring they slightly overlap to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese evenly over the noodles, followed by half of the cooked sausage.
- Sprinkle half of the chopped fresh basil and half of the mozzarella cheese over the sausage layer.
- Pour about 1 cup of marinara sauce over the cheese and sausage layer, ensuring even coverage.
- Repeat the layering process with the remaining noodles, ricotta, sausage, basil, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil, making sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, until the noodles are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes of baking to allow the top to become golden and slightly crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set and makes cutting easier.
- Garnish with additional fresh basil leaves before serving. Cut into 6 equal portions and serve hot.
Tips
- Use high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth
- Make sure to drain excess fat from the sausage to prevent a greasy lasagna
- Layer ingredients evenly to ensure consistent taste in every bite
- Let the lasagna rest after baking to help it set and make cutting easier
- For extra richness, use full-fat ricotta and mozzarella cheeses
- Fresh basil makes a huge difference - don't substitute with dried herbs
- If you prefer a spicier version, choose hot Italian sausage
- For a lighter version, you can use ground turkey instead of sausage
- Always cover with foil initially to prevent the top from burning
- Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 85mg
