Authentic Olive Garden Lasagna Classico At Home

Few things scream comfort food quite like the Olive Garden lasagna classico. With layers of tender pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and that unmistakable restaurant-style flavor. But what if you could recreate that same iconic dish at home, without the wait, the price tag, or sacrificing taste?

The Olive Garden in my hometown closed down years ago, and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve thought about their lasagna classico since then. Those cravings are what inspired me to recreate this lasagna.

Crafting Olive Garden’s lasagna classico at home becomes a breeze with the step-by-step instructions you’ll find here. From the savory meat sauce to the ultra-creamy cheese filling, every step is designed to help you achieve that authentic Olive Garden flavor in your own home. In no time, you’ll be serving up the dish that captures the essence of the Italian-American favorite.

Feel free to serve this up with unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks, too. The true Olive Garden way!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Assembling your homemade Olive Garden Lasagna Classico won’t take all day, and that’s just one of the reasons this recipe rocks. But in case you needed another reason, here’s why:

• Authentic Olive Garden flavor that feels like a special occasion meal, no matter when you decide to enjoy it.
• Unlike many lasagna recipes, this version uses more than just ricotta to create a well-balanced cheese filling that delivers the same creamy, slightly indulgent bite that Olive Garden is known for.
• I’ve tested this for home kitchens. The steps, bake times, and layering techniques are written specifically for home ovens. No restaurant needed!
• It stores and reheats beautifully!

It delivers that “restaurant comfort food” experience without ever leaving home or having to pay restaurant prices.

Tips & Tricks

Before getting started, here are some simple notes to keep in mind as you make your Olive Garden Lasagna Classico to help you recreate this iconic dish with ease every time.

Don’t Overcook the Noodles

While overcooked pasta won’t ruin your lasagna, it will still taste fine, but it just won’t be as perfect as it could be. To avoid that, cook your pasta noodles al dente, or firm to the bite. This often means cooking the pasta for just a minute or two less than what is written on the package.

This is because your pasta is going to continue to cook once more when it goes in the oven. So, by undercooking it just slightly, you will avoid overcooking it once it bakes in the oven.

If your noodles are cooking while you’re preparing other ingredients, just set a kitchen timer or a timer on your phone so you don’t have to worry about forgetting.

Avoid Sticky Noodles

One tip I love for making lasagna is to put the noodles in a cold bath. Often, with lasagna, cooking the noodles will be one of the first steps we take. But then, they sit in a strainer for a while while they wait for their moment. Maybe you rinsed them in cold water, maybe you put some olive oil on them, but often then still end up sticking together.

Let’s avoid that. When your noodles are done cooking, rinse them in a strainer as you normally would, then put them in a bowl filled with cold water. This will help to stop the cooking process so the noodles don’t overcook, and it will keep them from sticking together.

Now, you can take your time with all your other ingredients; there’s no tearing noodles, no sticking together, and when it’s time to assemble, it just got that much easier.

Let the Lasagna Rest

Letting a lasagna rest after it comes out of the oven is important to achieve that perfect structure and flavor. After removing it from the oven, let the lasagna sit for about 10-15 minutes.

This will allow the layers to set and the cheese and sauce to firm up, preventing them from becoming a soupy mess. When you slice into it after letting it rest, you’ll have clean, neat slices with the best flavor.

Piling on the Cheese

Too much cheese, does that even exist? Sometimes, too much of a good thing can be overwhelming. This lasagna classico recipe was created to take you back to those Olive Garden days, with just the right amount of cheese and sauce within each layer to taste just like you ordered it off the menu.

If making it extra cheesy is your thing, then go for it! But I always suggest trying a recipe as it’s written first, then make all the changes you want the next time you try it. The amounts and flavors used in this recipe are meant to balance each other out so you taste a little bit of everything in each bite.

For more on a fun tip like: “Why you should be crisscrossing your lasagna noodles,” check out this article with some more lasagna cooking tips.

Print Recipe

3 from 1 vote

Printable Copycat Olive Garden Lasagna Classico Recipe Card

This Olive Garden Lasagna Classico recipe delivers rich layers of meat, cheese, and pasta—just like the restaurant, but made right at home.

Prep Time45 minutes mins

Cook Time55 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course: Dinner/Lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Olive Garden Lasagna Classico Recipe

Servings: 8

Author: Mackenzie

Ingredients

Meat Sauce

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 oz Italian sausage, removed from their casings and crumbled
• 6 oz ground beef
• 2-16 oz cans of crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped (½ tsp dried)
• salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese Filling

• 16 oz whole milk ricotta cheese
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (1 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped (1 tsp dried)
• 1 tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped (1 tsp dried)
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Cream Sauce

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1¼ cups whole milk
• salt and pepper, to taste
• nutmeg, a pinch

Additional

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350℉. Lightly grease a 9"x13" baking pan.

Meat Sauce:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic until soft and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes). Add the beef and sausage, and continue to cook until the meat is browned (about 10 minutes). Drain off any excess fat.
• Stir in crushed tomatoes and oregano, and season with salt and pepper. Lower the heat and simmer the meat sauce for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente; drain and place the noodles in a cold water bath (see 'Tips & Tricks').

Cheese Filling:

• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the parmesan cheese, egg, fresh herbs, and salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth and combined. Set aside.

Bechamel (Cream) Sauce:

• Melt the butter in medium saucepan. Once melted, whisk in flour, and cook, whisking continuously for about 2 minutes.
• Gradually add in the milk, while stirring continuously until combined and thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Assembling the Lasagna:

• Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Place a layer of 4 noodles over the sauce. Spread about ⅓ of the cheese mixture over the noodles. Top this with about ⅓ of the bechamel and finally ⅓ of the meat sauce.
• Repeat the layers two more times: 4 noodles, ⅓ cheese mixture, ⅓ bechamel sauce, ⅓ meat sauce.
• Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella.
• Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Remove from the oven and let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these step-by-step instructions to bring a slice of Olive Garden tradition to your table with a lasagna classico that is sure to turn out perfect every time.

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Start the Meat Sauce

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and lightly grease a 9″x13″ baking dish.

Make the meat sauce: heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Then, cook the onions and garlic for about 3-5 minutes, until nice and fragrant. Add in the ground beef and crumbled sausage and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the meat is browned. Drain off any excess fat.

Step 2: Simmer the Tomato Meat Sauce Until Rich

Add in the cans of crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles to Al Dente

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package directions until ‘al dente’ (about one minute less than the recommended cooking time). Strain the noodles and place them in a cold water bath while you continue with the recipe.

Step 4: Mix the Ricotta Cheese Filling

Make the cheese filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the ricotta, parmesan, egg, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and set aside.

Step 5: Make the Cream Sauce

Make the cream sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter. Then, whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour and cook for about two minutes. Gradually pour in the milk while continuing to whisk.

Cook for a few more minutes, whisking continuously, until it is all combined and thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Step 6: Assemble the Lasagna Layers

Assemble: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Top this with 4 lasagna noodles, 1/3 of the cheese mixture, 1/3 bechamel sauce, and finally, 1/3 of the meat sauce.

Repeat these layers of noodles, cheese mixture, bechamel sauce, meat sauce, two more times. On the final layer, sprinkle it with the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.

Step 7: Bake, Rest, and Serve

Cover the pan with aluminum foil, bake at 350ºF for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. When done, remove from the oven and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes before enjoying.

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips:

Lasagna is one of my favorite dishes to make when I know I’ll have a busy week ahead, and this Copycat Olive Garden Lasagna Classico is no exception. It’s perfect for prepping ahead of time when you know you’re feeding a crowd or baking and freezing when you want easy dinner options for busy nights.

To Make-Ahead:

You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly in plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate. Bake as directed, adding an additional 15 minutes to the bake time before removing the foil to finish baking, since you will be baking it from cold.

Another option is to make each of the layers (meat sauce, bechamel sauce, cheese mixture, and noodles) the day before. On the day of, you just need to assemble and bake. It will be slightly harder to spread the ingredients if they are cold, but still possible.

Again, bake as directed, adding an additional 15 minutes to the bake time before removing the foil to finish baking, since all of the ingredients will be cold. Or, bring the layers to room temperature or warm them up gently on the stove before using to make assembly easier.

Baking from Frozen:

You can also fully assemble the lasagna, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then freeze it before baking.

If doing so, my recommendation is to put it in the fridge the night before to allow it time to thaw. Cover it with foil and bake at 375ºF for about 1-1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Then, remove the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes more to brown the cheese.

If you are baking directly from the freezer, it will require more time to fully cook through. I recommend having a kitchen thermometer so you can start checking the internal temperature around 1 1/2 hours into baking and continue to bake as needed until it reaches 165ºF.

Storing the Lasagna:

Allow the lasagna to cool completely before storing. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

To freeze, wrap individual servings of lasagna in plastic wrap or in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for 2 to 3 months. To reheat, heat in the microwave or oven until it is warmed through and the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.

Your Olive Garden Lasagna Classico Questions Answered

Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a special occasion, or simply craving a comforting homemade classic, along with the tips and variations I’ve provided above, check out these common questions so your lasagna classico turns out perfect every single time.

And if you still have questions, just drop them in the comments section below!

Does Real Italian Lasagna Have Ricotta?

Yes, real Italian lasagna often includes ricotta cheese in its layers, contributing to the dish’s creamy texture and rich flavor. However, regional variations exist, and some traditional recipes may use béchamel (like in this recipe) instead of or in addition to ricotta.

The cheese filling in authentic Italian lasagna recipes blends ricotta with other cheeses like mozzarella and Parmesan, creating a deliciously rich cheese layer along with creamy, white béchamel sauce.

How Many Layers Does this Olive Garden Lasagna Have?

This Copycat Olive Garden Lasagna Classico has three layers of pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and béchamel. Using three layers helps create even flavor and structure without making the lasagna too dense.

Can I Make the Lasagna and Freeze it Before Baking?

Yes! This is a super convenient way to always have a backup dinner plan when the time strikes. My recommendation for working with a frozen lasagna is to put it in the fridge the night before to allow it time to thaw.

Cover it with foil and bake at 375ºF for about 1-1 1/2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Then, remove the foil and bake for 10-15 minutes more to brown the cheese.

Check out my “Make-Ahead and Storage Tips” above for more tips and tricks on making this Lasagna Classico!

Recreating Olive Garden’s Lasagna Classico at home is easier than you might think, and the results are every bit as comforting and satisfying as the restaurant favorite. Lasagna Classico is the kind of dish that always delivers, no matter the occasion.

It’s reliable, crowd-pleasing, and flexible enough to adapt to your tastes. Whether you prefer extra cheese, lighter swaps, or enjoy this classic comfort food as it is, make it yours in your kitchen.

This copycat Olive Garden lasagna recipe isn’t just inspired by the original; it’s been carefully tested with love, precision, and plenty of cheese to deliver that same hearty, indulgent experience you crave when you order Lasagna Classico at the restaurant. Be sure to pair it with your favorite salad and breadsticks for the full Olive Garden-style experience!

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If this Lasagna Classico earns a permanent spot in your dinner rotation, save it for later, leave a comment below, and share it with someone who loves cozy, homemade comfort food. Your feedback helps others and inspires more copycat recipes coming your way!