Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made of layers of pasta, meat, cheese, and sauce. The traditional lasagna consists of wide, flat sheets of pasta, typically layered with a rich meat sauce (often made with ground beef or sausage), ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and marinara sauce.
The dish is assembled by layering the ingredients in a baking dish, starting with sauce, then pasta, followed by cheese and meat, and repeating the layers until all ingredients are used. It is then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges are slightly crispy.
Lasagna can be customized with various ingredients, including vegetables like spinach or zucchini, and can also be made vegetarian by omitting meat and adding more cheese or vegetables. It’s a hearty and comforting meal, often served in square pieces and enjoyed with a side salad or garlic bread.
Here’s a simple lasagna recipe for you:
Ingredients:
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound ground beef (or Italian sausage)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Cheese Mixture:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
- For the Lasagna:
- 9-12 lasagna noodles (either no-boil or regular, cooked according to package instructions if using regular)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well and set aside.
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- In a 9×13 inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce, and a sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella) until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of noodles topped with meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil (to prevent sticking, spray the foil with cooking spray) and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Let the lasagna cool for about 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna! Let me know if you have any questions or need more tips!