Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese filling, and sometimes meat or vegetables. Here’s a basic recipe to make traditional meat lasagna:
Ingredients:
For the meat sauce:
– 1 lb (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
– can (6 oz) tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 teaspoon dried basil
– Salt and pepper to taste
For the cheese filling:
– 15 oz (425g) ricotta cheese
– 1 egg
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– Salt and pepper to taste
Other ingredients:
– 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions
– Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
2. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned and cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat.
3. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked meat. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent.
4. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
6. To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Arrange a layer of cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping them.
7. Spread half of the cheese filling over the noodles.
8. Spoon half of the remaining meat sauce over the cheese filling, spreading it evenly.
9. Repeat the layers with another layer of noodles, the remaining cheese filling, and the remaining meat sauce.
10. Top the lasagna with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese on top, if desired.
11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown and melted.
13. Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
14. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired, and serve hot.
Enjoy this delicious and comforting classic lasagna with your favorite side salad and garlic bread!