The Ultimate Lasagna Recipe π
Overview:
This ultimate lasagna recipe is a labor of love, but the end result is absolutely worth every minute spent in the kitchen! Perfect for impressing guests or satisfying your family’s cravings, this savory dish is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire. With layers of flavorful meat sauce, creamy ricotta cheese, and gooey melted mozzarella, each bite is a taste of Italian comfort food heaven.
Recipe Details:
- Name: The Ultimate Lasagna
- Category: Meat
- Keywords: European, Potluck, Spicy, Savory, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
- Servings: 8
- Calories per Serving: 747.5
- Total Fat: 38.8g
- Saturated Fat: 18.9g
- Cholesterol: 159.5mg
- Sodium: 2833.2mg
- Carbohydrates: 52.9g
- Fiber: 5.5g
- Sugar: 16.1g
- Protein: 47.9g
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3/4 | Sweet Italian sausage link |
| 1 | Lean ground beef |
| 1/2 | Onion |
| 2 | Garlic cloves |
| 1 | Can crushed tomatoes |
| 2 | Tomato paste |
| 2 | Cans tomato sauce |
| 1/2 | Cup water |
| 2 | Tablespoons sugar |
| 1 1/2 | Teaspoons dried basil leaves |
| 1 | Teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 | Teaspoon fennel seed |
| 1/4 | Teaspoon ground black pepper |
| 4 | Tablespoons fresh parsley |
| 12 | Ounces ricotta cheese |
| 16 | Ounces lasagna noodles |
| 1 | Egg |
| 1 | Teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 | Pound mozzarella cheese |
| 3/4 | Cup parmesan cheese |
Instructions:
- Cook Meat Mixture:
- In a Dutch oven, cook the sweet Italian sausage link, lean ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Drain excess fat and return the mixture to the pot.
- Prepare Sauce:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, dried basil leaves, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of parsley. Simmer covered for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Cook Lasagna Noodles:
- In a large pot of lightly salted water, bring it to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Prepare Ricotta Mixture:
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix until well incorporated.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Assemble Lasagna:
- Spread 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over the sauce. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Top with a third of the mozzarella cheese slices and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Repeat the layers.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to cool for 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps to set and makes serving easier. Enjoy your ultimate lasagna creation!
Tips:
- For a spicy kick, add crushed red pepper flakes to the meat sauce.
- Make-ahead tip: You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate it overnight. Just bake it when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
Conclusion:
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this mouthwatering lasagna recipe. Whether it’s a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner, this dish is sure to please even the pickiest eaters. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to create a masterpiece that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
