Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna Recipe
Table of Contents
Lasagna Recipe
This classic lasagna recipe features layers of rich marinara sauce, hearty ground beef, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella. Baked to perfection, this comfort food is the ultimate family meal that’s sure to impress. Whether you’re preparing it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this lasagna will become your go to recipe.
Description
Lasagna is a beloved Italian dish, cherished for its delicious layers of tender pasta, flavorful sauce, and melted cheese. This classic lasagna recipe combines the best of these elements, creating a hearty and flavorful dish that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner, this Lasagna Recipe is simple to follow and results in a mouthwatering meal.
The foundation of any great lasagna is a rich, savory meat sauce. In this recipe, we use ground beef and ground pork, seasoned with garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, simmered in a homemade marinara sauce made from crushed tomatoes. The result is a flavorful and hearty sauce that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
For the cheesy layers, we use a mixture of ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan to create a creamy filling that holds everything together. The ricotta is complemented by layers of mozzarella, which melts into a gooey, golden topping.
The final step is assembling the lasagna. You’ll alternate layers of pasta, sauce, cheese mixture, and mozzarella, creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Once assembled, the lasagna is baked until bubbly and golden, making it the ideal comfort food.
This Lasagna Recipe is incredibly versatile and can be adjusted to suit various dietary needs. You can substitute ground turkey for a lighter version, use gluten-free noodles for a gluten-free lasagna, or swap the traditional ricotta for a dairy free alternative. Regardless of how you customize it, the end result is a delicious, satisfying dish that will be a hit at any dinner table.
Lasagna can also be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer. Simply assemble the lasagna, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to two days or freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to bake, just pop it in the oven and enjoy.
Ingredients
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup water
- For the Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Other Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the meat sauce:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and pork, cooking until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add water to reach your desired consistency. - Prepare the cheese mixture:
In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined. - Assemble the lasagna:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce. Add another layer of noodles, then repeat with cheese and sauce layers. Finish with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and the remaining mozzarella. - Bake the lasagna:
Cover the baking dish with foil (to prevent sticking, either use non stick foil or spray the foil with cooking spray). Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly. - Serve:
Let the lasagna sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting to allow the layers to set. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
you may like : Barilla Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine optional
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup water
- For the Cheese Mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Other Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked according to package instructions
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the meat sauce:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef and pork, cooking until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the sauce thickens too much, add water to reach your desired consistency.
- Prepare the cheese mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Assemble the lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by 1/3 of the meat sauce. Add another layer of noodles, then repeat with cheese and sauce layers. Finish with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake the lasagna:
- Cover the baking dish with foil (to prevent sticking, either use non stick foil or spray the foil with cooking spray). Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the lasagna sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting to allow the layers to set. Serve hot, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- If you’re preparing the lasagna ahead of time, assemble it, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, allow it to come to room temperature before baking.
- For a vegetarian lasagna, substitute the ground meat with sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
- You can use no boil lasagna noodles to save time, but be sure to use enough sauce to properly cook them during baking.
- For an extra cheesy topping, sprinkle additional mozzarella on top before baking.
