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A slice of homemade grandma's lasagna with layers of melted cheese, meat sauce, and pasta, served on a white plate with fresh basil garnish.

Grandma's Lasagna

Our family's favorite lasagna-we have been making this for 80 years! This lasagna is simple and delicious!

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Best Lasagna, Deep Dish Lasagna, Easy Dinner Recipes, Pasta Dishes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Author Sweeter With Sugar

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 2 1.5 ounce spaghetti sauce mix (dry seasoning packet)
  • 4 8 ounces cans tomato sauce
  • 4 cans water fill each emptied tomato can with water for this
  • 28 ounces Swiss cheese sliced-I love Sam's Club Swiss pre-sliced cheese in a 32 ounce package for this recipe.
  • 16 ounce package lasagna noodles

Instructions

  1. Note 1: This is a deep dish lasagna. Use a deeper 9x13 baking dish. I like this lasagna thick, 6-layers of noodles. However, If you prefer you can make 2-three layer lasagnas in two regular 9x13 baking dishes and freeze one for later.

  2. Note 2: The water-I use the tomato sauce cans to measure the water so I can get the last bit of tomato sauce out of each can.

  3. Note 3: You can make this ahead of time. If this lasagna has been in the refrigerator, remove from the refrigerator and set on the stove top while you preheat the oven. Then, bake for 10-15 minutes longer (45-50 minutes).

  4. Begin by cooking the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions.

  5. While the lasagna noodles cook, crumble cook the ground beef with the chopped onion. Drain any grease.

  6. Next, add the tomato sauce, water, dry spaghetti sauce mixes and stir over medium heat to bring to a boil. Simmer until thickened, about 20-25 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning on the bottom.

  7. Your noodles will be done before your sauce. Just drain them well and set them aside. Pre-heat your oven to 350°.

  8. When your sauce has thickened, grease a deep 9x13 baking dish and place three lasagna noodles in the dish to cover the bottom.

  9. Spoon some of the sauce over the noodles-keep in mind you are making six layers. You need this sauce for all of those layers.

  10. Next, lay cheese slices on the sauce. If you are using Sam's Club pre-sliced Swiss cheese, they come in sandwich size slices. I use six slices per layer.

  11. Top the Swiss cheese with three more lasagna noodles, then some sauce, then six slices of Sam's Club sandwich size Swiss cheese. If using another Swiss cheese, cover the sauce with the cheese.

  12. Repeat with the remaining lasagna noodles, ending with the Swiss cheese on top.

  13. Then, lightly spray a piece of aluminum foil and cover the lasagna with the greased side down.

  14. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

  15. Remove from the oven and let sit for about 5 minutes. Remove the foil carefully. Some of the cheese may stick to the foil. Spraying the foil before baking will help.

  16. When you cut into the lasagna, it may be a bit juicy. This is normal and is delicious for dipping your bread in. This tastes great the next day, too.

  17. Serve and enjoy with a side salad and garlic bread, if you desire.