Contents
Introducing the ultimate lasagna recipe – the only one you’ll ever need! Our delectable, layered pasta masterpiece brims with rich flavors, a blend of three types of cheese, and a savory meat sauce. Each bite is a testament to the art of traditional Italian cooking, transforming simple ingredients into a comforting and unforgettable meal. Dive in and make every dinner an event!
Best Lasagna Recipe
Equipment
- Large saucepan
- 9×13 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 can 6 oz tomato paste
- 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon oregano dried
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12 lasagna noodles cooked and drained
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, cook and stir ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until brown. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and sugar. Season with basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer mixture for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.1 lb lean ground beef, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 can, 1 can, 1 can, 2 tablespoons white sugar, 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and oregano.2 cups ricotta cheese, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 3/4 teaspoon oregano, 1 egg
- Layer 1/2 of the lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover noodles with 1/2 of the ricotta mixture, 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 of the sauce. Repeat layers, and top with grated Parmesan cheese.2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, 12 lasagna noodles, 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Ingredients
Lasagna is a classic Italian fav dish. Savoury, comforting and yummy!
Want perfect lasagna? Here’s what you need:
- Ricotta cheese
- Lasagna noodles
- Mozzarella cheese
- Ground beef
- Tomato sauce
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- Parsley
Get ready for the best lasagna ever!
Lasagna noodles
Lasagna noodles are important for a tasty lasagna. They form the basis for layering your other ingredients such as beef, cheese and sauce. Traditional lasagna noodles are flat and dry but there are now lots of types on the market with different flavors and textures. Here’s a look at the different types:
- Traditional – Found in most supermarkets. These pre-cooked oven-ready noodles are flat and dry with a nutty flavor. They keep their shape when cooked.
- No-boil/oven-ready – No need to boil these. Thicker and softer, they have a softer texture when cooked.
- Squash/Eggplant – Add nutrition if you’re going meatless by using roasted squash or eggplant slices instead of pasta layers. You can also cut down pasta intake by using one layer of regular pasta and one layer of squash/eggplant slices.
- Wheat/Gluten-free – Lots of gluten-free alternatives to traditional pasta sheets available. Try brown rice, quinoa or ‘veggie’ pastas made from lentils or chick peas for a different texture and flavor.
Ground beef
Ground beef is essential for a classic lasagna. It gives the dish a meaty texture and flavor. Buy fresh ground beef that hasn’t been stored in the fridge for more than two days. 80/20 or 85/15 beef is best for juicy and flavorful lasagna.
Cook the beef first. You can brown it in a pan or pre-cook it in the microwave. Drain excess fat before adding other ingredients. This helps make the dish low-fat.
Ricotta cheese
Delicious, creamy Ricotta cheese is often used to add flavor and texture to dishes like lasagne. It’s an Italian-style cheese, made from cow’s milk curds. It has a mild and sweet taste, and the right amount of creaminess.
You can buy Ricotta in creamier forms for desserts, or drier forms for savory recipes. For best results with Lasagna, look for whole-milk Ricotta, which is tastier than skim versions. If you prefer low-fat options, check out alternatives here.
When making Lasagna, season the Ricotta with salt and pepper. Don’t over-salt! Amount you’ll use depends on the size of the dish, but usually ¾ pound of Ricotta per 9×13 inch pan is enough. We recommend mixing equal parts of Ricotta and shredded mozzarella – but feel free to add more cheeses like Parmesan or Romano.
Mozzarella cheese
Mozzarella cheese is a sliceable curd cheese. It’s usually made from Italian buffalo or cow’s milk. It has a soft, elastic texture and a milky, mild flavour. This flavour balances well with the other flavours of lasagna. When melted, mozzarella creates stringy pools of deliciousness!
You can find mozzarella in blocks or pre-shredded bags at most markets. It keeps well in the refrigerator for several weeks. Pre-shredded mozzarella is not as fresh. For the best flavour, shred your own mozzarella from a block.
You can use mozzarella in:
- Pizza
- Lasagna
- Panini sandwiches
It’s also great in caprese salads or eaten plain.
Parmesan cheese
Parmesan cheese is a must-have in lasagna! It packs a punch of flavor, with salty and nutty notes – the perfect compliment to the dish. But don’t settle for pre-shredded or canned cheese – it’s best to purchase freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It crumbles easily and melts wonderfully in the oven, giving each slice of lasagna a uniform layer of deliciousness. Plus, it’s not as salty, so you can use less but still get that great flavor and texture.
So, if you’re making homemade lasagna, fresh Parmesan is definitely worth the effort!
Marinara sauce
Lasagna perfection starts with a four-layer stack of noodles, cheese and marinara sauce. For a delicious marinara, heat a pot over medium heat. Add olive oil, garlic and sauté until fragrant. Throw in diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.
Next, add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer. Add oregano and basil for fresh herbs. Cook for 10 minutes. Pull off the heat and let the flavors meld. Adjust seasoning as desired.
Assemble the lasagna. Add pasta sheets, cheese mixture, spinach (optional), ricotta cheese (optional). Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30–35 minutes. Enjoy!
Preparation
Ingredients are essential for a scrumptious lasagna. To make the perfect one, you need the correct ingredients and know how to prepare them. Here, we’ll go through the best way to prep your lasagna ingredients. Let’s begin!
Preheat oven to 375°F
Before making your lasagna, turn on the oven to 375°F. This is the perfect temp for delicious, gooey cheese. Put the racks in the centre. High-forced air ovens cook faster than conventional ones. Check the edges of your casserole during cooking. If it looks like it’s burning, lower the oven temp by 25°F and cover with tented aluminum foil or an inverted baking sheet.
Remember to use an appropriate size dish. It should have at least 2” sides, and 2” between the dish and racks. Bon Appetit!
Cook the ground beef in a skillet
Take a skillet. Put the ground beef in it. Heat it over medium-high. Use a wooden spoon to break it into crumbles. When it’s evenly browned, season with salt and pepper. Drain off the extra fat. Then set the beef aside. Get ready to start making your lasagna!
Boil the lasagna noodles
Boil the lasagna noodles, adding a teaspoon of salt for flavor. Parboil fresh noodles for 3 mins, and dried for 7-8 mins. Don’t overcook – they should be al dente. Drain and lay out on a flat surface with a damp paper towel. Ready to assemble lasagna!
Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish
To make your lasagna, you must first grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Get some cooking oil and a paper towel. Pour two tablespoons of oil onto the paper towel. Spread the oil on all sides of the pan – inside and out. You can also use butter by cutting off a piece and rubbing it on the sides.
Your baking dish is now ready for your lasagna!
Layer the ingredients in the dish
Time to build the lasagna! Begin by pouring a thin layer of sauce in the dish. Then add one layer of noodles, covering the bottom without overlapping. Next, spread a thin layer of ricotta cheese evenly. Add more ingredients, like veggies or meat. Top with a thin layer of sauce and another layer of noodles. Repeat until you reach your desired number of layers. Lastly, cover the top with just sauce for a crispy finish.
Baking
Lasagna? Yummy! It’s a scrumptious dish you can make at home. There are lots of options – but the basics are always the same. Here’s a classic recipe that will be a sure hit. Let’s dive in!
Cover the dish with aluminum foil
Cover the top of your baking dish with a single layer of aluminum foil. The foil should be slightly larger than the dish. Place it on the lasagna, pressing it down. This creates a light seal, wrapping the edges of the foil around. This prevents dryness or sogginess and will make amazing Lasagna!
Bake for 45 minutes
Your lasagna should be golden and bubbling after 45 mins in the oven. Check it’s cooked with a knife or skewer. If hot with no raw batter, it’s done! Let it cool for 10 mins before slicing and serving. Bon Appétit!
Uncover and bake for an additional 15 minutes
Uncover the lasagna and bake for 15 more minutes. This guarantees the cheese will be melted and golden brown. Plus, any left over liquid will evaporate. When the topping is cooked properly, take it out. Too long can cause it to dry out and become rubbery.
If you’d like, sprinkle extra grated cheese over the top a few minutes before taking it out of the oven. After you take it out, let it cool for 10-15 minutes. Now, time to eat! Enjoy!
Let cool for 10 minutes before serving
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish – layers of pasta, cheese, meat, and tomato sauce. It’s no surprise it’s so popular! To get the best results, follow the steps carefully:
- Put your lasagna in an oven-safe dish, then bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Take it out with kitchen mitts to protect your hands from its hot surface.
- Let it cool for 10 minutes. This will help the flavors settle and make it even more flavorful.
- Now you can enjoy your delicious lasagna!
Serving
Lasagna? Yes! It’s a great idea for any dinner. Big or small, it’s sure to please. There are many ways to serve it. Let’s explore!
- You can customize the dish for each person.
- Try different options.
- Enjoy your lasagna feast!
Slice the lasagna into squares
For the best lasagna slice, begin with a chilled dish. Put it in the fridge for 1-2 hours so it’s room temperature when you serve it. Score the top with a sharp knife or spatula – this helps each piece have all the layers!
Cut into squares or rectangles (1-2 inches wide by 4 inches deep). Use soft utensils – no metal! Lift out pieces with a spatula or butterknife. Top with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and enjoy!
Serve with a salad and garlic bread
Yum! Your lasagna is out of the oven. Now it’s time to create a classic Italian feast. Lasagna, salad and garlic bread – three tasty courses!
Start with a crunchy salad. Rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes and a vinaigrette dressing. Slice garlic bread and put it in an oven dish. Brush with butter and sprinkle parmesan cheese. Toast in the oven or on an open flame until melted.
Your meal is ready! Plate up individual lasagna portions. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and grated parmesan cheese. Serve with a light salad, cherry tomatoes and hot garlic bread. Enjoy your perfect Italian feast!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of lasagna should I use?
A: It really depends on your preference. You can use any type of lasagna noodles, such as regular lasagna noodles, oven-ready lasagna noodles, or even gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Q: What type of sauce should I use?
A: You can use any type of tomato-based sauce, such as a marinara or a bolognese sauce. You could also opt for a white sauce if you prefer.
Q: What type of cheese should I use?
A: You can use any type of cheese that melts well, such as mozzarella, cheddar, or even ricotta. You could also opt for a combination of cheeses if you prefer.
