Ultimate Tomato Herb Cheese Lasagna: A Veggie Delight

Tomato & Cheese Lasagna Recipe 🍅🧀

Overview:

Indulge in the comforting aroma of tomatoes, herbs, and cheeses with this delightful Tomato & Cheese Lasagna recipe passed down from my MIL’s kitchen. Perfect for vegetarians, this lasagna bursts with flavors and is a heartwarming addition to any mealtime spread. This recipe yields one lasagna, serving up to 6 hungry guests.

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Calories: 398.5 per serving
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

Quantity	Ingredient
7	Tomatoes
1	Red onion
4	Garlic cloves
4 tbsp	Olive oil
1 can	Tomato paste
1	Bay leaf
3-5 sprigs	Fresh thyme
3-5 leaves	Basil
3-5 sprigs	Parsley
1 pinch	Crushed red pepper flakes
1	Prosciutto or ham bone
–	Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup	Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup	Buffalo mozzarella
1 cup	Ricotta cheese
1/4 cup	Fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup	Fresh Italian parsley
–	Ground black pepper
–	Lasagna noodles

Instructions:

Prepare the Sauce:
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- In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until fragrant.
- Add in the tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaf, fresh thyme, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper flakes, and prosciutto or ham bone.
- Allow the mixture to simmer gently for about 1.5 hours.
- After simmering, remove the bone, carefully puree the sauce, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Prepare the Cheeses:
- Keep the parmesan and mozzarella cheese separate.
- Mix chopped basil and parsley into the ricotta, and season with freshly ground black pepper.
Layer the Lasagna:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a 10x6x2-inch baking dish, start with a light layer of sauce at the bottom.
- Place a sheet of lasagna noodles over the sauce and spread it with more sauce.
- Sprinkle parmesan and mozzarella over the sauce.
- Continue layering with noodles, sauce, and cheese.
- Add half of the ricotta and herb mixture on one of the layers.
- Repeat layering with noodles, sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, and the remaining ricotta mixture.
- Finish with a layer of noodles, sauce, and parmesan cheese on top.
Bake the Lasagna:
- Cover the lasagna with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the top turns golden and crusty.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for about 5 minutes after removing it from the oven.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Cut the lasagna into portions, grate fresh parmesan over the top, and serve.
- Pair it with a fresh green salad, crusty bread, and a glass of your favorite red wine for a complete meal experience.
Notes:
- For a time-saving option, you can use store-bought sauce, but the homemade sauce truly elevates the flavors of this dish.
- This lasagna can also be assembled earlier in the day and refrigerated until ready to bake, making it a convenient option for busy schedules.