Lasagna is a popular Italian dish that can be made with many different ingredients. There are many lasagna recipes out there, but this one is the best lasagna recipe around. It’s easy to make and the ingredients are inexpensive.
It’s also fun to make with your family, friends or even on a date night. So why not give this lasagna recipe a try? You won’t be disappointed!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 16 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is browned. Drain fat and stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Bring to a boil.
3. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for about 8 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a small bowl, mix together ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley.
To assemble lasagna:
4. Spread 1 1/2 cups of sauce over the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles over sauce, and spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
5. Repeat layers of noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and sauce. Cover lasagna with aluminum foil.
6. Bake lasagna in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 30 minutes, or until lasagna is bubbly and lightly browned around the edges.
Enjoy!
Nutrition facts
Serving size 1/12 (square) of lasagna:
Calories 390
Total Fat 20 g
Saturated Fat 9.7 g
Cholesterol 67 mg
Sodium 813 mg
Potassium 352 mg
Total Carbohydrates 27 g
Dietary Fiber 2.3 g
Protein 24 g
How to make lasagna white sauce
White sauce for lasagna is an excellent addition to give it that extra burst of flavor, here’s how to make your own!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt to taste and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and garlic powder until smooth, about 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until mixture is thickened and bubbly, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
How to make lasagna meat sauce
There are many different ways that you can make lasagna meat sauce, but this is the best way to do it.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon dried basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Directions
In a large pot over medium heat, cook beef and onion until meat is browned. Drain fat and stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Bring to a boil.
What to serve with Lasagna
There are a few different things that you can serve with lasagna. One option is to serve it with a side salad and some garlic bread. Another option is to serve it with some roasted vegetables.
If you want to keep things simple, then just serving lasagna on its own is always a good option. It is such a filling dish that it really doesn’t need anything else. But, if you want to make things a little more special, then serving it with a side or two is always a good idea.
Lasagna storage and reheating instructions
If you have leftovers, then you can store them in the fridge for up to four days. To reheat, just pop it in the microwave or heat it up in the oven until it is warm throughout.
If you want to freeze lasagna, then you can do so for up to three months. Be sure to wrap it up tightly so that it doesn’t dry out. When you are ready to eat it, just thaw it overnight in the fridge and then reheat it.
Lasagna tips and tricks
Tips and tricks for making the best lasagna:
- To make lasagna even more filling, you can add some cooked sausage or ground beef to the sauce.
- If you want a really pretty lasagna, then you can layer in some chopped spinach leaves or roasted red peppers.
- If you want a really cheesy lasagna, then you can add some mozzarella cheese to the ricotta cheese mixture.
- For a healthier lasagna, you can use whole wheat noodles and low fat cheese.
Make ahead instructions
If you want to make lasagna ahead of time, then you can assemble it and then keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just be sure to cover it tightly so that the sauce doesn’t dry out.
Can I freeze lasagna?
Yes, lasagna freezes really well! Just assemble it and then wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Be sure to label it with the date so that you know when it was frozen. Lasagna will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat, just thaw it overnight in the fridge and then bake it according to the recipe instructions. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
What is a lasagna pan?
A lasagna pan is a deep dish that is specifically designed for lasagna. It is usually 9×13 inches in size and has high sides so that you can layer in a lot of lasagna without it spilling over the edge.
If you don’t have a lasagna pan, then you can just use a regular baking dish. Just be sure to use one that is at least 2 inches deep.
Lasagna is a dish that everyone loves. It’s hearty, comforting and can be made in so many ways to ensure it continues to taste great.
I hope you enjoy this lasagna recipe, bon appétit!
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