Introducing Great Grandma’s Lasagna, a cherished family recipe passed down through generations, originating from the culinary traditions of Sicily! 🇮🇹 This lasagna is not just any ordinary dish; it’s a labor of love, a testament to the rich heritage of Italian cuisine. 🍝👵
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Description: This lasagna recipe holds a special place in our hearts as it embodies the essence of home-cooked comfort. Crafted by my Great Grandmother, straight from the kitchens of Sicily, it’s a timeless classic that has stood the test of time. While my Great Grandma handmade her pasta, this recipe adapts beautifully with store-bought noodles, making it accessible for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends alike. It’s a dish that beckons memories of family gatherings, laughter, and joy around the dining table. 🍽️✨
Recipe Category: Cheese
Keywords: Meat, European, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Calories: 280.8
- Fat Content: 15.9g
- Saturated Fat Content: 6.7g
- Cholesterol Content: 97.7mg
- Sodium Content: 902mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 14g
- Fiber Content: 2.9g
- Sugar Content: 7.1g
- Protein Content: 21.5g
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Tomato sauce
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
- Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 – 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 egg
Instructions:
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Brown first four ingredients: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with diced onion and minced garlic until the meat is fully cooked and the onions are translucent. Drain any excess fat.
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Add tomato sauce: Pour tomato sauce over the browned meat mixture, stirring well to combine. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
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Prepare the filling: In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped onion, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, and egg until well combined. This creamy, flavorful mixture will serve as the delicious filling for your lasagna layers.
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Layering: In a baking dish, start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom. Then, add a layer of lasagna noodles, followed by a generous portion of the prepared cheese and spinach filling. Repeat this process, alternating between layers of sauce, noodles, and filling, until you reach the top of the dish.
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Final touches: For the final layer, top the lasagna with noodles, cover them with the remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. This will create a beautifully golden and gooey crust when baked.
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Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil, ensuring it’s sprayed with cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking. Bake the lasagna in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the lasagna noodles are tender.
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Serve and enjoy: Once baked to perfection, remove the lasagna from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before slicing into generous portions. Serve it alongside a fresh green salad and crusty bread for a complete meal that’s sure to delight your taste buds and warm your soul.
Great Grandma’s Lasagna is not just a dish; it’s a culinary journey back to the flavors of Italy, a tribute to cherished family recipes, and a celebration of the love and legacy passed down through generations. With each bite, savor the rich layers of flavor and tradition that make this lasagna truly unforgettable. Buon appetito! 🇮🇹🍴
