A lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese is a timeless comfort dish. It combines soft pasta layers, rich sauce, and creamy cheese into one warm, satisfying meal. Unlike heavy béchamel-based versions, lasagna with ricotta feels lighter, creamier, and more balanced. In this guide, you will learn how to make lasagna with ricotta cheese at home, step by step. The recipe is simple, flexible, and perfect for family dinners, weekend gatherings, or special occasions served beautifully on Long Phuong Porcelain dinnerware.

Classic homemade lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese prepared in a simple step-by-step process
Classic homemade lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese prepared in a simple step-by-step process

1. What is lasagna with ricotta cheese?

Lasagna with ricotta cheese is a classic Italian-American variation of traditional lasagne. Instead of béchamel sauce, it uses a ricotta cheese mixture layered between pasta sheets and sauce.

Ricotta adds:

  • A creamy but light texture
  • Mild flavor that balances tomato sauce
  • A soft, fluffy layer that melts into the pasta
Traditional lasagna layered with ricotta cheese instead of béchamel sauce
Traditional lasagna layered with ricotta cheese instead of béchamel sauce

This lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese style is especially popular in home kitchens because it is easier to prepare and very forgiving.

When you use a high-quality lasagna recipe ricotta base, you are creating a dish that is rich in protein and incredibly satisfying. It is the quintessential “Sunday Gravy” meal that tastes even better the next day.

2. Ingredients for Lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese

Great cooking starts with great ingredients. To make the best lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese, you will need to gather a few essentials. Quality matters here—especially when it comes to the cheese and the tomatoes.

Main ingredients

  • Lasagna noodles  
  • Ricotta cheese 
  • Mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Eggs  
  • Tomato sauce or marinara
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Salt and black pepper
Fresh ingredients used for making lasagna with ricotta cheese at home
Fresh ingredients used for making lasagna with ricotta cheese at home

Optional add-ins

  • Ground beef or Italian sausage
  • Spinach or zucchini
  • Fresh basil or parsley
  • Red pepper flakes

Using high-quality ingredients makes a big difference. Serve your finished dish on elegant porcelain plates from Long Phuong Porcelain to elevate the dining experience.

3. How to make Lasagna with ricotta cheese at home

This lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese follows a clear five-step process. Remember, patience is the most important ingredient.

3.1. Step 1: Prepare the Ricotta cheese mixture

In a large bowl, combine:

  • Ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg  
  • Grated Parmesan
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chopped parsley or basil

Mix until smooth but not watery. The egg helps the ricotta set, but you can skip it if you prefer a softer texture. This mixture is the heart of any lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese.

Ricotta cheese mixture blended with herbs and seasonings for lasagna layers
Ricotta cheese mixture blended with herbs and seasonings for lasagna layers

3.2. Step 2: Cook the sauce

Heat olive oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until fragrant.

Add:

  • Tomato sauce
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional ground meat or sausage

Simmer for 15–20 minutes. A slow-simmered sauce gives depth and prevents watery lasagna. This step is key in how to make lasagna with ricotta cheese successfully

Sauce slowly simmered for ricotta cheese lasagna
Sauce slowly simmered for ricotta cheese lasagna

3.3. Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna layers

This is where the magic happens. Grab your favorite baking dish. Our porcelain provides even heat distribution, which is vital for preventing burnt edges while the center is still cold.

  • Bottom Layer: Spread a thin layer of sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking.
  • Noodles: Place a layer of cooked (or no-boil) noodles.
  • Ricotta: Spread about 1/3 of the lasagna recipe ricotta mixture over the noodles.
  • Mozzarella: Sprinkle a handful of mozzarella.
  • Sauce: Top with a generous scoop of meat sauce.
  • Repeat: Repeat these layers until you reach the top of the dish.
Layering pasta sheets with ricotta cheese and sauce in a baking dish
Layering pasta sheets with ricotta cheese and sauce in a baking dish

3.4. Step 4: Bake the Lasagna

  • Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30–35 minutes.
  • Remove foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until golden.

Let it rest for 10 minutes before cutting. This helps the layers hold together.

Lasagna baking in the oven until cheese is melted and golden
Lasagna baking in the oven until cheese is melted and golden

3.5. Step 5: Serve and enjoy

Slice and serve warm. Pair with salad or garlic bread.

For special occasions, serve your lasagna on serving dishes. The clean white glaze highlights the rich colors of the dish beautifully.

Sliced lasagna with ricotta cheese served on elegant porcelain plates
Sliced lasagna with ricotta cheese served on elegant porcelain plates

4. Video tuturial how to make lasagna with ricotta cheese at home

how to prepare lasagna with ricotta cheese step by step

5. Tips for success making Lasagna recipes with ricotta cheese 

Even with a great lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese, a few small tweaks can take your dish from good to legendary:

  • Drain your Ricotta: If your ricotta seems very wet, let it sit in a fine-mesh strainer for 30 minutes before mixing. This prevents a “soupy” lasagna.
  • Season every layer: Don’t just season the sauce. Make sure your ricotta mixture has enough salt and pepper to stand on its own.
  • Don’t overcook the noodles: If boiling traditional noodles, take them out 2 minutes before the “al dente” time. They will finish cooking in the oven sauce.
  • Use Full-Fat Cheese: For the best lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese, avoid “light” or “skim” versions. The fat content is what provides the silky mouthfeel.
  • Presentation Matters: Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. A beautiful piece of lasagna and ricotta deserves to be served on a clean, elegant porcelain surface that retains heat, keeping your meal warm throughout the dinner.
Helpful cooking tips for achieving creamy and well-layered ricotta lasagna
Helpful cooking tips for achieving creamy and well-layered ricotta lasagna

6. Lasagna with ricotta cheese variations

One of the best things about a lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese is its versatility. Here are five popular ways to mix it up:

6.1. Lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese and Italian sausage

Swap half of the ground beef for spicy or sweet Italian sausage. The fennel seeds and spices in the sausage add an incredible depth of flavor that complements the mildness of the lasagne ricotta cheese.

Ricotta cheese lasagna combined with flavorful Italian sausage
Ricotta cheese lasagna combined with flavorful Italian sausage

6.2. Lasagna ricotta cheese and béchamel sauce

Can’t decide between Northern and Southern styles? Use both! Add a layer of white Béchamel over the ricotta for an ultra-decadent, creamy experience. This is often referred to as “Lasagna Royale.”

Lasagna made with a blend of ricotta cheese and béchamel sauce
Lasagna made with a blend of ricotta cheese and béchamel sauce

6.3. Lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese no egg

If you have an egg allergy, you can still enjoy a lasagna with ricotta. Replace the egg with 1/4 cup of heavy cream or a bit of extra melted mozzarella to help bind the ricotta mixture together.

Egg-free ricotta cheese lasagna with soft and creamy texture
Egg-free ricotta cheese lasagna with soft and creamy texture

6.4. Lasagna ricotta cheese no meat

For a lighter version, skip the beef. Use a chunky marinara sauce with lots of garlic and onions. The cheese lasagna recipe remains incredibly filling due to the high protein content in the ricotta and mozzarella.

Meatless lasagna prepared with ricotta cheese and vegetables
Meatless lasagna prepared with ricotta cheese and vegetables

6.5. Lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese for vegetarian 

Load your lasagna with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and zucchini. Make sure to squeeze all the water out of the vegetables before layering, or your lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese will become watery.

Vegetarian lasagna layered with ricotta cheese and fresh vegetables
Vegetarian lasagna layered with ricotta cheese and fresh vegetables

7. FAQs 

Common questions and answers about cooking lasagna with ricotta cheese
Common questions and answers about cooking lasagna with ricotta cheese

7.1. Do you put eggs in ricotta cheese when making lasagna?

Yes, most lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese call for one egg. The egg acts as a binder, preventing the ricotta from becoming too runny when heated. It helps the cheese “set” so you get beautiful, distinct layers.

7.2. What is the secret to a great lasagne?

The secret is moisture control. Between draining your ricotta, simmering your sauce until thick, and letting the dish rest after baking, controlling the liquid ensures your lasagna is structural and rich rather than messy.

7.3. What is the best way to layer lasagna with ricotta cheese?

Always start with sauce on the bottom. Then: Noodles -> Ricotta Mixture -> Mozzarella -> Sauce. Repeat. Finishing with a heavy layer of sauce and mozzarella on top creates that iconic cheesy crust.

7.4. Which cheese is best for lasagna?

A combination is best. Ricotta provides the creaminess, Mozzarella provides the “cheese pull,” and Parmesan provides the salty umami punch. For a premium lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese, use all three!

7.5. How do you make lasagna with ricotta cheese creamy?

To make it extra creamy, use whole-milk ricotta and whisk it with a tablespoon of heavy cream or extra-virgin olive oil before adding your egg and herbs.

7.6. Can ricotta replace béchamel in lasagna?

Absolutely. While Béchamel is traditional in some regions, a lasagna recipe with ricotta cheese is the preferred method for many because it is easier to prepare and offers a lighter, fresher taste profile.

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