Carolyn Parsons’ Homemade Lasagna π
Overview:
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8-10 servings
Calories: 326.2 per serving
Cuisine: Canadian, European
Keywords: Meat, Canadian, European, Kid Friendly, Weeknight, Oven, Stove Top, < 4 Hours
Description:
Indulge in the hearty flavors of Carolyn Parsons’ Homemade Lasagna! This classic recipe promises layers of savory meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender noodles, all baked to perfection. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests, this lasagna is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Let’s dive into the delicious details!
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2/3 lb | Lean ground beef |
| 1 tbsp | Butter |
| 2 medium | Onions |
| 1 small can | Tomato paste |
| 2 large | Tomatoes |
| 1 beef bouillon cube | |
| 3 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 2 tsp | Dried basil |
| 1 cup | All-purpose flour |
| 3 cups | Milk |
| 1 1/4 cups | Shredded mozzarella cheese |
| Salt, to taste | |
| Pepper, to taste | |
| Nutmeg, to taste | |
| 10-12 | Lasagna noodles |
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a skillet, sautΓ© lean ground beef in butter until it loses its pink color.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a pot.
- Peel and chop the onions, then sautΓ© them until transparent.
- Add the sautΓ©ed onions to the pot with the meat.
- Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, beef bouillon cube, minced garlic, and dried basil.
- Cook the mixture over medium-low heat, covered, for about 20 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
-
Prepare the Cheese Sauce:
- In a saucepan, melt butter and add flour, stirring to combine.
- Gradually add milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Cook the sauce for about 3 minutes until it thickens.
- Add most of the shredded mozzarella cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
- Season the cheese sauce to taste with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
-
Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C).
- Pour half of the cheese sauce into the bottom of an oven-proof casserole dish.
- Arrange a layer of lasagna noodles over the cheese sauce.
- Spread a layer of the prepared meat sauce over the noodles.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, meat sauce, noodles, and finally, pour the remaining cheese sauce over the top.
- Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top layer of sauce.
-
Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
- If you prefer softer noodles, cover the dish with foil during baking. For a crispier texture, leave the dish uncovered.
- Once baked, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
-
Tips and Variations:
- For a leaner option, substitute ground chicken for half of the ground beef.
- Experiment with different types of noodles, such as curly lasagna noodles, for varied textures.
- Adding an extra 1/2 cup of water to the sauce can result in softer noodles, according to some readers’ suggestions.
- Customize the seasoning to your preference, adding herbs and spices for extra flavor.
Enjoy the comforting aromas and flavors of Carolyn Parsons’ Homemade Lasagna, a timeless dish that brings warmth to any occasion! Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a festive gathering, this lasagna recipe is sure to delight everyone at the table.
