Description
Hearty layers of classic Italian lasagna blend rich beef ragù, creamy béchamel, and melted cheeses into a comforting culinary masterpiece. Pasta sheets nestled between robust flavors promise a delightful journey through traditional Italian cuisine you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Meat Sauce Preparation: Sizzle ground beef, sausage, and onion in a skillet until golden, draining excess fat. Incorporate garlic, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer the vibrant sauce for 20-30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Noodle Preparation: If using traditional noodles, boil until al dente, then arrange on a clean surface to prevent sticking. Oven-ready noodles can be used directly.
- Cheese Mixture Creation: Whisk ricotta with egg, Parmesan, parsley, and seasoning until smooth and well-integrated.
- Lasagna Assembly: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Layer a thin sauce base in a baking dish, then methodically stack noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella. Repeat this process three times, ensuring even distribution of ingredients. Crown the final layer with remaining sauce and mozzarella.
- Baking Process: Shield lasagna with foil, bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Serving Technique: Allow lasagna to rest 15-20 minutes, enabling layers to set and making clean, precise slicing possible. This pause helps maintain structural integrity and enhances flavor melding.
Notes
- Pat ricotta cheese with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a firmer, less runny texture.
- Add a pinch of fresh chopped basil or oregano between cheese layers to boost the herb profile and create more depth.
- If using traditional noodles, slightly undercook them during boiling since they’ll continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy texture.
- Assemble lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together and making meal preparation easier on serving day.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg