Irresistible Bobby Flay Lasagna Recipe: Family Favorite

Bobby Flay’s lasagna sparks a culinary revolution in comfort food that transforms ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Layers of rich, velvety cheese meld seamlessly with robust meat sauce, creating a symphony of flavors.

Mediterranean influences dance through each carefully crafted bite, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Professional techniques elevate this classic dish from mundane to magnificent.

Precise ingredient selection ensures maximum taste intensity in every forkful.

Generations of cooking wisdom blend with modern culinary creativity to craft a meal that warms both heart and soul.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 4 hours

Calories: 850 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for Bobby Flay Lasagna

• Pork Shanks: Choose well-marbled cuts with rich, deep color for maximum flavor intensity..
• Beef Shanks: Select bones-in cuts with substantial meat for robust, hearty texture..
• Pancetta: Opt for thinly sliced, premium Italian-style cured pork for authentic taste..

• Onion, Carrot, Celery: Select fresh, firm vegetables with vibrant colors and no blemishes..
• Garlic: Pick plump, firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin for most potent flavor..

• Red Wine: Choose full-bodied, dry wine like Chianti or Cabernet for deep complexity..
• Chicken Stock: Select low-sodium, rich homemade or high-quality store-bought version..
• Diced Tomatoes: Look for San Marzano variety for authentic Italian sweetness..

• Ricotta Cheese: Seek creamy, smooth texture with delicate milky flavor..
• Eggs: Use fresh, room-temperature eggs for smooth integration..
• Grated Cheese: Select aged Parmigiano-Reggiano for sharp, nutty undertones..
• Fresh Parsley, Basil: Choose bright green, fragrant herbs without wilting..

• Butter: Use unsalted, high-quality European-style butter for rich flavor..
• Flour: Select unbleached all-purpose flour for smooth sauce consistency..
• Milk: Choose whole milk for creamy, luxurious texture..
• Nutmeg: Use freshly grated for intense, warm.

Essential Tools for Bobby Flay’s Lasagna

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy pot perfect for browning meats and slow braising.
• Large mixing bowl: Spacious container for combining ricotta and cheese mixture.
• Saucepan: Small pot for creating smooth béchamel sauce.
• Whisk: Essential tool for blending flour and milk without lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Rectangular pan for assembling and baking lasagna layers.
• Sharp chef's knife: Needed for chopping herbs and vegetables.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for ingredient preparation.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Colander: Strainer for draining pasta perfectly.
• Aluminum foil: Covers lasagna during initial baking stage.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and scraping pan while cooking.
• Sauté pan: Flat-bottomed pan for creating marinara sauce.

How to Layer Bobby Flay’s Lasagna

• Launch Flavor Journey

Begin by warming your kitchen to 350°F. Heat olive oil in a large cooking pot. Generously season meat cuts with robust spices, then sear until beautifully caramelized. Set meaty treasures aside while quickly rendering pancetta to golden perfection.

• Craft Aromatic Base

Chop vibrant vegetables – onions, carrots, celery, and garlic – and sauté until tender and fragrant. Splash red wine to capture delicious pan remnants. Pour in hearty stock, crushed tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Return meat to the pot and slow roast in the oven for two luxurious hours.

• Create Creamy Cheese Mixture

Whisk together silky ricotta, farm-fresh eggs, sharp aged cheese, verdant herbs, and a whisper of seasoning. Let flavors mingle and intensify in the refrigerator.

• Build Velvety Sauce

Melt butter, sprinkle flour, and gradually introduce warm milk. Stir until sauce transforms into a smooth, luxurious blanket. Season with warm spices and grated cheeses.

• Assemble Culinary Masterpiece

Layer pasta sheets, rich meat sauce, creamy cheese blend, and decadent béchamel in a buttered baking dish. Top with generous sprinkles of parmesan and fresh herbs.

• Bake To Golden Perfection

Cover with foil and bake at 375°F. Remove covering to allow edges to crisp and cheese to bubble. Let rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and textures to harmonize.

Smart Tips for Lasagna Flavor and Texture

• Master Meat Selection: Choose high-quality, well-marbled pork and beef shanks for deeper, richer flavor profiles. Consider mixing different meat cuts to create complex taste dimensions.
• Cheese Customization: Experiment with alternative cheese combinations like adding fontina, provolone, or pecorino to enhance the ricotta blend. Swap traditional cheeses with local artisan varieties for unique taste experiences.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare lasagna components separately up to two days in advance. Store individual layers in sealed containers, assembling just before baking to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Replace meat with roasted mushrooms, eggplant, or lentils. Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and add extra herbs for depth of flavor.

Serving Bobby Flay’s Lasagna Like a Pro

• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped basil, parsley, or oregano over each lasagna slice for bright, aromatic flavor and beautiful green color contrast.
• Pair with Crisp Salad: Serve alongside a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, hearty lasagna and add fresh, zesty notes.
• Add Crusty Bread: Offer warm, crusty Italian bread or garlic bread to soak up extra sauce and provide delightful textural crunch with each bite.
• Wine Companion: Pour a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the deep, meaty flavors of the lasagna and cuts through its richness.

Planning Ahead with Bobby Flay’s Lasagna Leftovers

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Cook lasagna components in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days before final assembly, saving precious time during busy weekdays.
• Smart Portioning: Cut lasagna into individual servings, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for convenient future meals lasting up to 3 months.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container, consuming within 4-5 days for optimal taste and food safety, ensuring each slice remains deliciously fresh.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated portions in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes to maintain moisture and restore the lasagna's original comforting texture.

Legendary Bobby Flay Lasagna Recipe

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4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Bobby Flay’s lasagna masterpiece combines rich Italian flavors with expert layering techniques. Generous cheese, robust meat sauce, and perfect pasta sheets create a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

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• 3 lbs bone-in pork shanks
• 3 lbs bone-in beef shanks
• 12 oz pancetta, finely diced
• 1 large Spanish onion, finely diced
• 1 ½ cups finely diced Spanish onion
• ½ cup finely diced carrot
• ½ cup finely diced celery
• 7 cloves garlic (4 whole, 3 coarsely chopped)
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 6 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 cups chopped fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsps olive oil
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 3 cups homemade chicken stock
• 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes, with juices
• Marinara sauce
• 3 cups ricotta, strained in a cheesecloth-lined strainer for at least 4 hours
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 tbsps chopped fresh basil leaves
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 4 cups whole milk, or more

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Season pork and beef shanks with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat olive oil and brown meat until golden, creating a rich crust. Transfer browned meat to a plate.
2. Base Flavor Development: Render pancetta until crispy, then sauté onions, carrots, celery, and garlic until softened. Deglaze pan with red wine, scraping caramelized bits from the bottom.
3. Braising Process: Add chicken stock, diced tomatoes, and fresh herbs. Return meats to the pot and braise in a preheated oven at 175°C (350°F) for 2 hours until meat becomes incredibly tender.
4. Cheese Mixture Preparation: Combine ricotta, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
5. Béchamel Creation: Melt butter and create a roux with flour. Gradually whisk in warm milk until sauce thickens. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Incorporate grated cheeses, adjusting consistency as needed.
6. Pasta and Assembly: Cook lasagna noodles slightly underdone. Layer baking dish with béchamel, pasta sheets, ricotta mixture, Bolognese sauce, Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves, creating multiple intricate layers.
7. Baking Process: Cover with foil and bake at 190°C (375°F) for 20 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until top turns golden and edges bubble with delicious intensity.
8. Marinara Sauce: Sauté onions in olive oil, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Incorporate crushed and diced tomatoes, simmering until sauce reduces and thickens. Finish with fresh herbs.
9. Serving: Rest lasagna for 15 minutes. Plate individual portions, topping with additional marinara sauce, freshly grated cheese, and herb garnish.

Notes

• Master Meat Preparation: Room temperature meats ensure even browning and develop rich, complex flavors during cooking, preventing tough texture and promoting caramelization.
• Layering Technique: Create alternating layers with precise ratios of pasta, Bolognese, béchamel, and ricotta to guarantee balanced texture and depth of flavor in every bite.
• Resting Rule: Allow lasagna to rest 15 minutes after baking, enabling layers to set and making slicing cleaner while preventing scalding hot servings.
• Pasta Precision: Slightly undercook pasta sheets to prevent mushiness during final baking, as noodles will continue absorbing moisture and cooking in the hot lasagna assembly.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 850
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg