This lasagna recipe requires effort, but the rich flavors and hearty portions make every minute worthwhile!
Try our all-time favorite lasagna recipe today and discover why everyone can’t stop raving about it!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Layered Pasta Dish
This cherished lasagna recipe from Isla’s recipes community is highly adaptable, allowing you to tweak the ingredients to suit your tastes. However, if you’re aiming for the classic version, here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- Meat: This hearty lasagna features sweet Italian sausage and lean ground beef for a robust flavor.
- Onion and Garlic: One chopped onion and two garlic cloves sautéed with the meat infuse the dish with a rich taste.
- Tomato Products: Gather a can of crushed tomatoes, two cans of tomato sauce, and two cans of tomato paste.
- Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar balance the acidity and enhance the sauce’s flavor.
- Herbs and Spices: Fresh parsley, dried basil, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper add rich flavor and complexity to this lasagna.
- Lasagna Noodles: You can use either store-bought or homemade noodles.
- Cheeses: The blend of Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta imparts a rich creaminess
- Egg: Incorporating an egg into the ricotta mixture helps it maintain its structure when sliced.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Preparing Layered Pasta
Here’s a concise outline of the process for crafting your homemade lasagna:
- Prepare the meat sauce.
- Cook the lasagna noodles.
- Create the ricotta mixture.
- Layer the ingredients according to the provided instructions.
- Cover with foil and bake.
- Allow the lasagna to rest before slicing and serving.
Layering Your Pasta Dish
Detailed layering guidelines are available in the full recipe below, but here’s the order you’ll follow:
- Meat sauce
- Noodles
- Ricotta mixture
- Slices of mozzarella
- Meat sauce
- Parmesan cheese
How to Reheat Lasagna
If you’re short on time, you can quickly reheat lasagna in the microwave; however, this method may alter the texture of the noodles. For the best results, use the oven: cover the leftovers with aluminum foil and bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes or until heated through and the sauce bubbles.
How to Freeze Layered Pasta Dish
Preparing it in a foil baking dish is recommended to freeze lasagna effectively. Once cooked, let it cool completely, then wrap it securely with at least one layer of plastic wrap. To further guard against freezer burn, wrap it again in aluminum foil. It can be kept in the freezer for as long as three months.
How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna
To reheat frozen lasagna, first thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. After thawing, follow the reheating instructions above. If you’re pressed for time and need to reheat it straight from the freezer, simply increase the cooking time by a few minutes to ensure the dish is thoroughly heated.
How to prepare Lasagna step by step
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
- ¾ pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup minced onion
- Two cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6.5-ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- ½ cup water
- Two tablespoons white sugar
- Four tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (divided)
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- One teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- One large egg
- ¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions step by step
Step 1:
Collect all the necessary ingredients.
Step 2:
In a Dutch oven, brown the sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until fully cooked and well browned.
Step 3:
Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, paste, and water to the meat mixture. Season with sugar, two tablespoons of parsley, basil, one teaspoon of salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Cover the pot and allow it to simmer for approximately 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.
Step 4:
In a large pot, heat lightly salted water until it reaches a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes, then drain and rinse them under cold water.
Step 5:
Mix the ricotta cheese with the egg, two tablespoons of parsley, and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl.
Step 6:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 7:
To assemble, spread 1 ½ cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange six noodles lengthwise over the sauce, slightly overlapping them. Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles, then add one-third of the mozzarella slices. Add another 1 ½ cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella and sprinkle with ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese.
Step 8:
Repeat the layering process, finishing with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with foil, ensuring it doesn’t touch the cheese (you can spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking).
Step 9:
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 25 minutes.
Step 10:
Allow the lasagna to rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Conclusion
Lasagna is a beloved classic that perfectly embodies the essence of comfort food, combining layers of rich flavors and hearty textures to create a truly satisfying dish. Each forkful is a delightful blend of tender pasta, savory meat or vegetables, creamy cheeses, and aromatic herbs, all coming together to create a harmonious and mouthwatering experience. Whether enjoying it on a chilly evening or serving it at a family gathering, lasagna uniquely brings people together.
Moreover, this versatile dish allows for endless customization; you can quickly adapt it to suit your dietary preferences or experiment with different ingredients, making it suitable for everyone. From traditional meat sauces to vegetarian versions packed with fresh veggies, there’s a lasagna for every palate.
So why not take the plunge and try this lasagna recipe? Embrace the joy of creating this comforting masterpiece from scratch and enjoy the warm, inviting aroma that fills your kitchen. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a meal that delights the senses and fosters connection and togetherness. Your taste buds will thank you; it just might become a favorite in your household!