Some dinners just hit the spot, and Prince lasagna is one of them. You get tender noodles, a meaty tomato sauce, creamy ricotta, and that browned cheese top that makes everyone hover near the oven. If you want Prince lasagna at home, this is the kind of recipe that feels doable on a weeknight but still special enough for Sunday dinner.
This Prince lasagna recipe keeps things simple. You boil the noodles, brown the meat, stir together the ricotta filling, then layer everything in a 9×13-inch baking dish. The result is a classic baked pasta that slices neatly after a short rest and reheats well the next day.
Prep and cook times vary a little depending on how quickly you assemble. Plan on about 20 minutes of prep, 45 to 60 minutes of baking, and 10 minutes of resting time. This makes 8 to 12 servings.
What you need for Prince lasagna
- 8 oz (227 g) lasagna noodles
- 1 lb (450 g) bulk Italian sausage or ground beef
- 1 medium onion, chopped, optional
- 1 clove garlic, minced, optional
- 1 jar (24 to 26 oz / 680 to 737 g) pasta sauce, marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 1 container (15 oz / 425 g) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (8 oz / 227 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 large eggs
- 1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes or 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, optional
- 1 tsp sugar, optional
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 package (10 oz / 283 g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained, optional
Allergen note: This dish contains dairy, eggs, and wheat/gluten.
How to make Prince lasagna
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain them well. Lay the noodles flat on foil or a clean baking sheet so they do not stick while you make the filling and sauce.
Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage or ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. If you are using onion and garlic, add them and cook until the onion softens. Drain off the fat so the sauce does not turn greasy.
Stir in the pasta sauce. If you want to use the optional sugar, add it here. Let the sauce simmer for 5 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then. That short simmer helps the meat and sauce taste like one mixture instead of separate layers.
In a large bowl, mix the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan, the eggs, parsley, nutmeg if using, salt, and black pepper. If you want spinach lasagna, stir in the thawed spinach after you squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
Spread 1/2 to 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) baking dish. Add a layer of noodles. Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then spoon over about 1 cup of sauce and sprinkle with some of the remaining mozzarella.
Repeat with another layer of noodles, the rest of the ricotta mixture, and more sauce. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the last of the sauce, the remaining mozzarella, and the rest of the Parmesan.
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 15 to 25 minutes more, until the sauce bubbles and the top turns golden in spots.
Let the Prince lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. That pause makes a big difference. The layers settle, the cheese firms up a little, and you get cleaner pieces.
Prince lasagna tips that actually help
The biggest trouble with Prince lasagna is extra moisture. If your lasagna comes out loose or watery, one of these is usually the reason:
- You did not drain the cooked meat well
- The spinach still held water
- You used more sauce than the noodles could absorb
If you add spinach, squeeze it dry before it goes into the ricotta. A clean kitchen towel or several paper towels work well for this.
Another useful tip is to keep the sauce layer thin at the bottom of the pan. Too much sauce under the first noodle layer can make the center slide when you cut it.
And do not skip the resting time. Fresh from the oven, Prince lasagna looks ready. Ten minutes later, it slices much better.
Best meat for Prince lasagna
You have a few good options here. Bulk Italian sausage gives Prince lasagna a little more seasoning without extra work. Ground beef makes the flavor milder and more classic. If you like, use a mix of the two.
If you choose sausage, check whether it is sweet or hot. Either works, but hot sausage will change the overall flavor of the dish.
For food safety, cook ground beef and sausage to 160°F (71°C). If you check the finished casserole with an instant-read thermometer, the center of the baked Prince lasagna should reach 165°F (74°C).
Prince lasagna variations
A recipe like this is easy to tweak without changing the whole idea.
Prince lasagna with spinach
Stir the thawed, well-drained 10-ounce package of chopped spinach into the ricotta mixture. This is the easiest variation and a good way to add another layer of texture.
Red and white Prince lasagna
If you like a creamy top layer, you can make a red and white version by spreading a 16-ounce jar of Alfredo sauce over the final noodle layer before adding the last Parmesan. Since this changes the ingredient list, use it only if you already planned for it.
North End lasagna style
For a deeper sauce, add 1/2 cup dry red wine to the browned meat and let it reduce before stirring in the pasta sauce. It gives the sauce a little more depth without making the recipe complicated.
Substitutions for Prince lasagna
This recipe leaves room for a few practical swaps.
- Use ground beef instead of sausage
- Use a mix of sausage and beef
- Use homemade pasta sauce instead of jarred sauce
- Use no-boil noodles if you follow the package directions for liquid and baking time
If you switch to no-boil noodles, do not guess. Different brands need different amounts of moisture, so the package directions matter.
Make-ahead, storage, and reheating
You can assemble Prince lasagna up to 24 hours ahead and keep it covered in the refrigerator before baking. If the dish goes into the oven cold, it may need a little extra baking time.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
To reheat, warm individual portions in the microwave until hot all the way through, or cover the baking dish with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven. Leftovers should reach 165°F (74°C).
You can also freeze Prince lasagna, baked or unbaked. Wrap it tightly and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating. If you freeze it in smaller portions, it is easier to reheat only what you need.
Why Prince lasagna works so well
This style of Prince lasagna has stuck around for a reason. The ingredient list is familiar, the layers are easy to build, and the balance is good. You get enough sauce to keep it tender, enough ricotta to make it creamy, and enough mozzarella on top to give you that golden finish people expect from a classic pan of lasagna.
It is also a forgiving recipe. If dinner needs to feed a crowd, Prince lasagna does that. If you want leftovers for lunch, it does that too.
Prince lasagna FAQ
Can I use no-boil noodles for Prince lasagna?
Yes. Use them according to the package directions and adjust the liquid and baking time as directed by the brand.
Can I make Prince lasagna ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble it, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I freeze Prince lasagna?
Yes. Freeze it baked or unbaked, wrapped well. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking or reheating.
Why is my Prince lasagna watery?
The usual causes are undrained meat, spinach that still holds water, or too much sauce between the layers.
What kind of meat should I use for Prince lasagna?
Bulk Italian sausage, ground beef, or a combination of the two all work well.
