When I was growing up, I remember requesting lasagna for dinner more than any other dish. My mom’s recipe came from the back of the Prince dry lasagna noodles box, a brand that was (and still is!) a staple in New England homes. I’m not sure why, but instead of keeping the cutout recipe in her recipe box, she taped it neatly to the back of one of our kitchen cabinets. Every time I’d open that cabinet door, I’d see the bright-blue cardboard cutout and instantly crave the dish. It was hardly a fancy affair — just jarred sauce enhanced with ground beef, layers of ricotta, and shredded mozzarella — but it didn’t matter, because lasagna is pure comfort food.

With such fond childhood memories, I was eager to find the ultimate lasagna recipe to make for my own family. It needed to be hearty but also silky and decadent, with layers that melted into each other without overpowering one another. To find my perfect lasagna, I battled off four of the most well-loved recipes in a side-by-side taste test Garfield would most definitely approve of. Not only did I come away with a recipe I’ve now indoctrinated into my family, but I also learned some surprising tips and tricks along the way.