Description
Paula Deen’s lasagna brings layers of creamy ricotta, robust ground beef, and melted cheeses together in a comforting Italian-American classic. Rich pasta sheets combine with savory marinara, creating a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (0.68 kg) ground chuck
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) ground Italian sausage
- 2 (8 oz/227 g) packages shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1.5 cups small curd cottage cheese
- 1 (5 oz/142 g) package grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 2 large lightly beaten eggs
- 2 (15 oz/425 g) cans tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz/411 g) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano
- 1 (6 oz/170 g) can tomato paste
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsps ground oregano
- 1 tsp ground basil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 9 oven ready lasagna noodles
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack centered, creating optimal baking environment for lasagna.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, aggressively brown ground chuck and Italian sausage, incorporating finely diced onions and garlic until vegetables become translucent. Drain excess fat completely, preserving the robust meat essence.
- Sauce Development: Infuse the meat mixture with aromatic herbs – oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Integrate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and paste. Simmer slowly for 35-40 minutes, allowing flavors to intensify and meld seamlessly.
- Cheese Layer Creation: Whisk cottage cheese, Parmigiano-Reggiano, parsley, and eggs into a smooth, creamy mixture that will bind the lasagna’s layers together.
- Assembly Technique: Spread a thin sauce base in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Layer noodles precisely, then methodically distribute cheese mixture, meat sauce, and mozzarella in three strategic layers, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor distribution.
- Baking Process: Shield lasagna with aluminum foil, bake for 40 minutes. Uncover, crown with remaining mozzarella, and bake an additional 15-20 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Resting Stage: Allow lasagna to settle for 12-15 minutes, enabling layers to solidify and flavors to harmonize, guaranteeing perfect cutting and serving consistency.
Notes
- Meat Selection Tip: Choose high-quality ground chuck with moderate fat content for richer, more flavorful meat sauce that doesn’t become greasy.
- Sauce Simmering Secret: Low and slow cooking develops deep, complex flavors; resist the urge to rush the sauce preparation.
- Cheese Mixing Technique: Whisk cheese mixture thoroughly to ensure smooth texture and even distribution of ingredients throughout lasagna layers.
- Resting Recommendation: Letting lasagna rest after baking allows layers to stabilize, making cleaner slices and preventing immediate sauce run-off.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg