Lasagna

                                                Classic Meat Lasagna 






Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy cheese, and béchamel or ricotta. It’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Below is a recipe for traditional meat lasagna.

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

  • 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
  • 1/2 lb (225 g) Italian sausage (optional)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried basil)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste


For the Ricotta Mixture (or Béchamel):

  • 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (or 1 tsp dried parsley)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Lasagna Layers:

  • 12 lasagna noodles (uncooked or no-boil)
  • 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated





Instructions:

1. Prepare the meat sauce:

  • In a large pan, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Once browned, remove excess fat.
  • Add the chopped onion and garlic to the meat and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop the flavors. Set aside.

2. Prepare the ricotta mixture:

  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until smooth and creamy.

3. Cook the lasagna noodles:

  • If using traditional lasagna noodles, cook them in salted boiling water according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside on a baking sheet to prevent them from sticking. If using no-boil noodles, skip this step.

4. Assemble the lasagna:

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce (3 or 4 noodles, depending on the size of your dish).
  • Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, then add 1/3 of the remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella on top.
  • Repeat these layers two more times: noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella.
  • For the final layer, add a little more sauce and sprinkle with extra mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

5. Bake the lasagna:

  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent the cheese from burning) and bake for 25 minutes.
  • After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly, and the lasagna is heated through.

6. Rest and serve:

  • Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to cut.
  • Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread.
Comments