Preheat the Oven and Cook the Noodles: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.

Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with chopped onion and minced garlic until browned and the onions are softened. Drain any excess fat.

Add the Sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, egg, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Assemble the Lasagna: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, and shredded mozzarella. Repeat the layers, finishing with a top layer of meat sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes until golden and bubbly.

Let Rest and Serve: Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh basil.