Louisiana Lasagna Recipe 🍽️
Overview:
Embrace the flavors of the Louisiana bayou with this delightful twist on traditional lasagna. With layers of savory ground beef, rich cheese sauce, and aromatic herbs, this Louisiana Lasagna is sure to become a favorite one-dish meal for your family and friends. Plus, it’s ready in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you crave something comforting and delicious.
Ingredients:
- 1 onion 🧅
- 1 garlic clove 🧄
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped 🌿
- 2 cups water 💧
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce 🍅
- 2 bay leaves 🍃
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter 🧈
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk 🥛
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
- 1/2 pound ground beef 🥩
- 8 lasagna noodles 🍝
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 281.2
- Fat: 17.9g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 113.6mg
- Sodium: 677.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 10.2g
- Fiber: 1.1g
- Sugar: 2.5g
- Protein: 19.5g
Instructions:
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Preparation:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Finely chop the onion, garlic, and fresh parsley.
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Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat in a drizzle of vegetable oil until cooked through.
- Add the chopped onion, garlic, and parsley to the skillet with the meat. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
- Stir in the water, tomato sauce, bay leaves, 1 teaspoon of salt, pepper, and dried oregano. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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Make the Cheese Sauce:
- In a separate saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Gradually whisk in the flour until smooth, cooking for a minute or two to form a roux.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
- Return the saucepan to low heat, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, remaining teaspoon of salt, and egg yolk. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
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Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
- Meanwhile, cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
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Assemble the Louisiana Lasagna:
- In a shallow baking pan, arrange a layer of cooked lasagna noodles.
- Spoon a layer of the meat sauce over the noodles, followed by a layer of the cheese sauce. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese sauce on top.
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Bake:
- Place the assembled lasagna in the preheated oven, uncovered.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese sauce is bubbly and golden on top.
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Serve:
- Once baked, allow the Louisiana Lasagna to cool slightly before serving.
- Slice into generous portions and serve hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Enjoy Your Louisiana Lasagna!
This Louisiana-inspired twist on classic lasagna is a deliciously comforting dish that brings together the bold flavors of the bayou in every bite. Whether it’s for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this recipe is sure to impress with its hearty layers of savory goodness. So gather your ingredients and get ready to savor the taste of Louisiana right at your own dinner table! 🌟