Lasagna is a comforting, layered pasta dish that’s perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or just indulging your Italian cravings! Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a mouthwatering lasagna from scratch.
Ingredients
For the meat sauce:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 500g ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the cheese mixture:
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp parsley, chopped (optional)
Other layers:
- 9-12 lasagna noodles (no-boil or boiled, as per package instructions)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large pan. Sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef or sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it up into small chunks.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
2. Mix the Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, and parsley. Mix well and set aside.
3. Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce at the bottom.
- Layer with lasagna noodles (3-4 pieces per layer).
- Spread a layer of ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by meat sauce, and sprinkle mozzarella on top.
- Repeat the layering process (noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella.
4. Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
5. Let it Rest and Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 minutes before slicing. This helps the layers set.
- Serve with garlic bread or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Tips
- Use fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra flavor.
- Substitute ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for a healthier or vegetarian version.
- Lasagna freezes well, so make an extra batch for busy days!
