Making lasagna is a delightful culinary endeavor that combines layers of tender pasta, rich meat or vegetable sauce, creamy béchamel, and a generous sprinkle of cheese, resulting in a comforting Italian classic. This recipe will guide you through the art of crafting this savory masterpiece, offering step-by-step instructions to create a hearty, cheesy, and utterly satisfying lasagna that will leave your taste buds craving more.
Easy homemade lasagne recipe
Lasagne, often spelled as "lasagna" in the United States, is a popular Italian pasta dish. It consists of layers of wide, flat pasta sheets, typically made from wheat flour and eggs, that are alternated with various ingredients such as tomato sauce, ground meat (usually beef or pork), ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. These layers are baked together in an oven until they form a delicious, multi-layered casserole. Lasagne is known for its rich, hearty flavor and is a beloved comfort food in many parts of the world. It comes in various regional variations, with some featuring vegetables, seafood, or even vegetarian options.
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready or boiled according to package instructions)
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for a few minutes until the onion is softened.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the egg. Mix well.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles on top.
- Add a layer of the cheese mixture, followed by another layer of meat sauce. Repeat this layering process until you've used up all the ingredients, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the lasagna is hot and bubbly, and the top is golden brown.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade lasagna!
Video
Notes
NB: When making lasagna ensure that the lasagna noodles are either cooked to al dente (if using traditional noodles) or properly hydrated (if using no-boil noodles) before assembling the dish. Undercooking them slightly will help prevent the noodles from becoming mushy during baking, as they will continue to absorb moisture from the sauce. Additionally, let the lasagna rest for a bit after baking before slicing and serving; this allows the layers to set and makes it easier to cut into neat portions.
Nutrition
Serving: 50g
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