Sure thing! Let’s dive into the savory world of Olive Garden 5-Cheese Lasagna with this delightful copycat recipe. 🍝
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours
Description
Indulge in the flavors of Olive Garden’s famous 5-cheese lasagna with this homemade version that promises to tantalize your taste buds. Bursting with cheesy goodness, this lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser and perfect for any occasion. For an extra savory twist, try adding 1/2 lb. of ground beef and 1/2 lb. of Italian sausage to elevate the flavors even more!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
- 1 fresh garlic clove
- 3 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Romano cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 lasagna noodles
- 1/4 cup fontina cheese
Instructions
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Prepare Cream Sauce: In a heavy 1-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir until well blended, cooking until frothy.
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Simmer and Thicken: Gradually pour in the milk, stirring constantly with a wire whisk until the mixture comes to a simmer. Cook and stir until thickened, approximately 3-4 minutes. Chill the sauce while preparing other ingredients.
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Prep Tomatoes and Garlic: Drain and mince the sun-dried tomatoes and garlic clove.
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Mix Cheese Filling: In a 3-quart mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, salt, and black pepper. Add the minced tomatoes and garlic. Pour in 1-1/2 cups of the cooled cream sauce and mix until well blended. Reserve 1/2 cup of the sauce for later use.
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Cook Lasagna Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions. Once cooked, cool them under cold water and drain.
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Layer the Lasagna: Lightly oil a 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Place 3 lasagna noodles in the dish, overlapping them slightly. Spread 1-1/2 cups of the cheese filling over the noodles. Sprinkle with one cup of mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of fontina cheese.
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Repeat Layers: Repeat the pasta and cheese layering process. Top with the remaining three lasagna noodles.
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Final Touches: Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of reserved cream sauce over the top layer of noodles. Cover the dish lightly with foil.
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Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the lasagna for 1 hour, or until bubbly and golden brown.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve this delicious Olive Garden-inspired 5-cheese lasagna hot and enjoy the cheesy goodness with your loved ones!
This delightful lasagna is not only easy to make but also bursting with flavor, making it perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special gathering with friends. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience! 🍴
