Olive Garden Lasagna Classico Recipe

This Olive Garden lasagna recipe is literally loaded with layers of flavor. It combines tender lasagna noodles with an aromatic meat sauce and an assortment of cheeses. It's a rich meal that is sure to leave you and your guests full and satisfied. 

The Best Olive Garden Lasagna Classico

If you love Olive Garden's lasagna classico, just wait until you try this recipe! 

Don't get me wrong, I love going to Olive Garden. But I had to add to my collection of Olive Garden recipes and recreate the Olive Garden lasagna classico.

Each bite is loaded with flavor, from the ground beef and sausage down to the homemade tomato sauce and melted cheese, all layered between tender cooked lasagna noodles. So good!

To make the meal even better, you have to make these Olive Garden breadsticks for a side and Olive Garden tiramisu for dessert.

Why This Recipe Works

Legit. This seriously is restaurant quality and tastes even better than Olive Gardens.

Easy to make. All you have to do is cook the ingredients and layer the lasagna. It's actually really easy, and even if you've never made homemade lasagna, you'll nail this recipe.

Family favorite. Who doesn't love lasagna? Especially one as delicious as this, it'll be an instant family favorite and is sure to impress.

Ingredients

One of my favorite parts about this lasagna classico recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. Since many of them are kitchen/pantry staples, you likely have most of what you'll need on hand already!

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make it:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ½lb. ground beef
• ½lb. Italian sausage, chopped
• 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
• 1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano, divided
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 16 oz. ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated or powdered
• 1 egg, beaten
• 12 lasagna noodles, cooked

You can use many of these same ingredients to make my Grandma's famous lasagna recipe, so definitely check that out next!

Oh, and when it comes to the lasagna noodles, you can use no boil noodles if you prefer. Just make sure to follow the instructions on the package before using them.

How To Make Olive Garden Lasagna Classico 

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC). Add some oil to a large skillet. Sauté the onion and garlic in the hot oil until fragrant.

2. Cook the meat: Add the ground beef and sausage to the skillet. Cook over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if necessary.

3. Complete the meat sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes to the skillet along with half a teaspoon of oregano. Season with salt and pepper and simmer everything for 20 minutes.

4. Make the cheese filling: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and remaining one tablespoon of oregano. Season it with salt and pepper.

5. Assemble the lasagna: Spread a spoonful of the cheese mixture at the bottom of a greased baking dish. Then, layer the noodles, cheese mix, and meat sauce. Repeat the layers and top the final noodle layer with sauce and extra mozzarella cheese.

6. Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.

How To Store Olive Garden Lasagna Classico

In the fridge: Put a lid on the baking dish you cooked the lasagna in or transfer it to an airtight container. Stored either of these ways, it'll last in the fridge for about for 3-5 days.

In the freezer: If you want to store your leftover lasagna for even longer, you can freeze it in an airtight container for about 2-3 months.

Reheating: Put the leftovers back in a baking dish and heat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until the cheese melts again and it's warmed through. You can microwave single portions of lasagna in 20-second increments until it reaches your desired temperature. Add more time for frozen lasagna.

FAQS About This Olive Garden Lasagna Recipe

What is Olive Garden lasagna made of?

Olive Garden's lasagna classico is made of a combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and romano cheese whisked together with Italian seasonings. This mixture is layered between lasagna noodles along with meat sauce before being topped with more shredded cheese and baked in the oven.

What kind of meat is in the lasagna at Olive Garden?

Olive Garden combines ground beef and Italian sausage in their lasagna classico to make the ultimate hearty meat sauce.

Does Olive Garden lasagna have ricotta in it?

Yes, the lasagna at Olive Garden does have ricotta as one of the main ingredients layered along with meat sauce, lasagna noodles, and shredded cheese.

How many layers does Olive Garden lasagna have?

Olive Garden's lasagna classico has 3 layers of meat sauce, cheese sauce, and shredded cheese alternating between tender cooked lasagna noodles.

What is the secret ingredient in lasagna?

The secret ingredient in lasagna is definitely the ricotta cheese mixture that makes the delicious cheesy filling. 

How many layers of pasta should lasagna have?

Most recipes for lasagna insist that a minimum of three layers is needed, though there's certainly nothing wrong with more!

More Olive Garden Recipes

• Olive Garden crock pot chicken pasta
• Olive Garden chicken alfredo
• Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno
• Olive Garden shrimp alfredo
• Olive Garden lasagna fritta