San Giorgio lasagna recipe has become one of my favourite go-to comfort meals: simple, nostalgic, and full of flavour. The first time I made it, I was learning to cook and hoping not to mess it up for a school potluck. I had tried and failed a few times, but when I finally got it right, people kept asking for the recipe.
This lasagna reminds me why I fell in love with home cooking: it’s forgiving, familiar, and made to be shared. You don’t need fancy ingredients or a culinary degree, just good pasta, simple layers, and a little care.
In this article, I’ll show you how to make this classic dish step-by-step, just like I do in my cosy kitchen outside Columbus.

Table of Contents
What Is San Giorgio Lasagna?
The Legacy of San Giorgio Pasta and Why It’s a Go-To Brand
San Giorgio is a name many of us grew up with. It’s a brand that’s been trusted for generations because it makes pasta that cooks up just right. Their lasagna noodles are perfect for baked dishes, sturdy, soft, and great at holding sauces.
That’s why the San Giorgio lasagna recipe is still a classic. It uses simple ingredients and turns them into something rich, filling, and full of comfort.
What Makes the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe Special Compared to Other Lasagna Dishes
This recipe stands out because it’s easy to follow and always satisfying. You don’t need anything fancy, just meat sauce, ricotta or cottage cheese, noodles, and mozzarella.
What makes it special:
- It’s flexible; add or skip ingredients based on what you have
- The flavours are simple but classic
- It feeds a crowd and reheats beautifully
Whether it’s your first time making lasagna or your hundredth, this recipe always delivers.
Don’t miss our Dolly’s Chicken and Stuffing Casserole it’s another easy comfort meal made with simple ingredients and big flavor.
Ingredients and Instructions for Authentic San Giorgio Lasagna
Essential Ingredients for a Rich, Layered Lasagna
To make a classic San Giorgio lasagna recipe, you don’t need anything complicated. Just quality ingredients and a bit of layering care. Here’s what you’ll need:
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San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Classic, comforting, and crowd-pleasing — the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe is the go-to dish for family dinners, potlucks, and any night you crave something nostalgic and cheesy.
Ingredients
- 1 box San Giorgio lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 24 oz marinara or meat sauce
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste
Instructions
- If using regular noodles, cook in salted boiling water for 8–10 minutes. Drain and lay flat on parchment paper. If using oven-ready noodles, skip this step.
- In a skillet, brown ground beef with diced onion and garlic. Drain excess fat. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 10–15 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer noodles, then spread ricotta mixture, sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan, and spoon on meat sauce. Repeat layers until dish is full.
- Top with final layer of noodles, sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Let lasagna rest before slicing for clean layers. Cottage cheese can be used instead of ricotta. Add spinach or sausage for variations. Store leftovers in fridge up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: san giorgio lasagna, classic lasagna, baked pasta, Ground beef, ricotta lasagna, tomato paste
Choosing Between Ricotta and Cottage Cheese
This is a question I get often, and the truth is that both work well. It comes down to taste and texture.
- Ricotta is thicker, richer, and gives you that traditional lasagna feel
- Cottage cheese is lighter and more budget-friendly, with a slightly looser texture
For this version of the San Giorgio lasagna recipe, I usually go with ricotta because it holds together nicely once baked. I mix in one egg and a bit of seasoning to bring it all together.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making San Giorgio Lasagna
Cooking the Noodles the Right Way
If you’re using San Giorgio regular lasagna noodles, cook them in boiling salted water until just tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and lay them flat on a sheet of parchment paper or lightly oiled foil to keep them from sticking.
If you’re using San Giorgio oven-ready lasagna noodles, skip the boiling. Just be sure your sauce has enough moisture to soften the noodles as it bakes.
Layering Instructions for Perfect Texture and Taste
Once your ingredients are ready, it’s time to build your lasagna. Here’s the simple method I always use:
- Spread sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer noodles to cover the base (3 to 4 noodles, slightly overlapping).
- Add a layer of ricotta mixture (ricotta, egg, seasoning).
- Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Add a layer of meat sauce.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, cheese, sauce until your dish is full.
- Finish with a layer of noodles, sauce, and plenty of cheese on top.
Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Then, uncover and bake for another 20 minutes until the top is golden and bubbling. Let it rest for at least 10 to 15 minutes before slicing.
This resting time helps the layers set, so your slices come out neat and full of flavour.
Why Add Egg to Ricotta for Lasagna?
The Role of Egg in the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe
One detail that makes the San Giorgio lasagna recipe hold together so well is the Addition of an egg to the ricotta cheese layer. It might seem small, but it plays a big role in how the lasagna bakes and slices.
Adding an egg gives the ricotta a thicker, smoother texture. When baked, the egg acts as a binder, helping the cheese mixture set up properly so the layers stay intact. Without it, your San Giorgio lasagna might still taste great, but it could turn out a bit runny or messy.
How to Mix Ricotta Filling in the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe
To prepare the ricotta mixture for your San Giorgio lasagna recipe, here’s the basic combo I always use:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: a sprinkle of Italian seasoning or chopped parsley
Mix it until smooth, then spread it gently over each noodle layer. This simple mixture gives your San Giorgio-style lasagna a creamy texture and helps it slice cleanly every time.
Looking for something bold and fast? Check out our Garlic Butter Steak Lightning Noodles a quick, flavorful dish packed with buttery garlic and juicy steak.
Best Sauce and Meat Choices for San Giorgio Lasagna
Traditional Meat Sauce for San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe
A rich, hearty meat sauce is the heart of a good San Giorgio lasagna recipe. It brings flavour to every bite and ties all the layers together. The classic version calls for a mix of ground beef and tomato sauce, but you can make it your own.
Here’s a simple meat sauce that works every time:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara or homemade tomato sauce
- Salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning
Brown the meat, add onion and garlic, pour in the sauce, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes. You can also add a little red wine or a pinch of sugar for extra depth.
This sauce makes the San Giorgio lasagna recipe rich and satisfying, perfect for layering.
Can You Make the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe Without Meat?
Absolutely. If you’re making a vegetarian version of the San Giorgio lasagna recipe, skip the meat and use the marinara sauce on its own or stir in some sautéed veggies like mushrooms, spinach, or zucchini. The lasagna still comes out flavorful, just a bit lighter.
Some people also use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a bolder flavour. It’s all about what you enjoy. The base of the San Giorgio-style lasagna is flexible and easy to adjust.
Ricotta Cheese vs. Cottage Cheese in Lasagna
Which Works Best in the San Giorgio Lasagna Recipe?
When making the San Giorgio lasagna recipe, one of the most debated choices is: should you use ricotta cheese or cottage cheese? The good news is both work, and it depends on your taste, texture preferences, and what you have on hand.
Ricotta cheese is the traditional choice. It’s creamy, thick, and slightly sweet, which balances the savoury meat and sauce perfectly. Ricotta also holds its shape better when baked, especially when mixed with egg.
Cottage cheese, on the other hand, is lighter and more budget-friendly. It has a softer, looser texture with small curds, and many families have used it for generations in their lasagna. It blends well with egg and seasoning and melts into the layers a bit more than ricotta.
How to Choose the Right Cheese for Your San Giorgio Lasagna
If you want a more classic San Giorgio lasagna recipe experience, go with ricotta. But if you’re looking for a slightly lighter option or want to use what’s already in your fridge, cottage cheese will still give you a creamy, satisfying result.
Tip: You can also blend cottage cheese in a food processor for a smoother texture that mimics ricotta. It’s a great trick if you’re cooking for picky eaters or want to cut back on dairy fat without losing creaminess.
Serving, Slicing, and Storing Your Lasagna
Letting Your San Giorgio Lasagna Rest Before Slicing
After baking your San Giorgio lasagna recipe, it’s tempting to dig right in — but don’t Rush it. Letting your lasagna rest for 10 to 15 minutes after coming out of the oven helps everything settle. The layers firm up a bit, and the slices hold their shape when served.
If you cut it too soon, it may slide apart and look messy. Give it time, and you’ll be rewarded with neat, picture-perfect pieces.
How to Store and Reheat San Giorgio Lasagna
Got leftovers? It’s good because the San Giorgio lasagna recipe tastes just as good (if not better) the next day. Here’s how to keep it fresh:
To store:
- Let it cool completely
- Cover tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container
- Store in the fridge for up to 4 days
To reheat:
- For single portions, microwave covered with a damp paper towel in 30-second bursts
- For larger portions, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through
If the noodles feel dry, add a spoonful of sauce or water before reheating to bring back that fresh-baked texture.
Tips for Making the Best Homemade San Giorgio Lasagna

Avoid Watery Layers and Uneven Baking
Even a simple San Giorgio lasagna recipe can go wrong if you’re not careful with moisture. Here’s how to avoid a soggy or uneven bake:
- Drain the meat fully before adding sauce grease will ruin the texture.
- Don’t over-sauce the layers. A light spread is better than soaking each one.
- If using oven-ready noodles, make sure your sauce is slightly looser so they can absorb enough moisture to cook through.
- Let it rest after baking so everything firms up properly before slicing.
These little tweaks make a big difference in the final result.
Flavor Boosts Without Overcomplicating It
The San Giorgio lasagna recipe is loved for its simplicity, but you can give it a boost with small additions:
- Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting
- Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley to the ricotta mixture
- Sprinkle Parmesan between layers for an extra savoury kick
- Layer thin slices of tomato or spinach for a veggie twist
Even with these tweaks, the heart of the dish stays the same: classic, cosy, and made with love.
Want more restaurant-style comfort food at home? Discover great ideas like Adobo Chicken Moe’s, bold and smoky flavor with a Southwest twist.
FAQS:
Why do you put an egg in ricotta when making lasagna?
An egg is added to ricotta cheese in the San Giorgio lasagna recipe to help bind the cheese mixture. It gives the filling a firmer texture, helping your lasagna slice cleanly after baking.
What is the secret to a great lasagne?
The secret to a great San Giorgio lasagna is balance, just enough sauce, even layers, and properly cooked noodles. Letting it rest before slicing helps the layers stay firm and the flavors come together.
Is lasagna better with ricotta or cottage cheese?
The San Giorgio lasagna recipe traditionally uses ricotta for its creamy, rich texture. However, many home cooks use cottage cheese for a lighter feel. Both options work, so it comes down to your personal preference.
How long to cook San Giorgio lasagna?
Bake the San Giorgio lasagna recipe at 375°F for about 45 minutes total of 25 minutes covered with foil and another 20 minutes uncovered. Let it rest at least 10–15 minutes before slicing.
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