Description
Layers of savory “classic homemade lasagna” create a symphony of Italian comfort on your plate. Melted cheese, rich marinara, and tender pasta merge into a delicious masterpiece that welcomes you to savor each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese and Noodle Ingredients:
- 1 (15 ounces) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- 12 lasagna noodles (boiled or oven-ready)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Transform ground beef and Italian sausage into a robust foundation by browning them thoroughly in a spacious skillet, ensuring excess fat is meticulously drained away.
- Infuse aromatic depth by incorporating finely diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until they release their fragrant essence and become translucent.
- Construct a vibrant sauce by integrating crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste, complemented with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Allow the sauce to simmer gently, developing complex flavors through occasional stirring, approximately 20-30 minutes until it reaches a rich, concentrated consistency.
- Prepare a creamy ricotta blend by whisking ricotta cheese with a beaten egg, grated Parmesan, delicate salt, and chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley until uniformly combined.
- If utilizing traditional lasagna noodles, cook them in rapidly boiling water until perfectly al dente, then carefully drain and set aside for layering.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F, preparing a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light grease to prevent sticking.
- Establish a protective base layer of meat sauce across the dish’s bottom to prevent noodles from adhering.
- Construct strategic layers: noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, and shredded mozzarella, repeating until ingredients are exhausted.
- Conclude the layering with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan, creating an enticing golden crust.
- Shield the lasagna with aluminum foil, baking for 25 minutes to ensure even heat distribution.
- Uncover and continue baking an additional 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbling, golden-brown masterpiece.
- Allow the lasagna to rest and settle for 10-15 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and facilitating cleaner slicing.
Notes
- Adjust meat sauce spiciness by adding red pepper flakes or hot sauce for heat lovers.
- Swap ground beef and sausage with plant-based alternatives like lentils or mushrooms for vegetarian options.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium tomato products and less added salt.
- Pat ricotta cheese dry with paper towels to prevent watery lasagna texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg