Introduction
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish loved by people around the world. Its rich flavors, creamy textures, and multiple layers make it the perfect comfort food for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or preparing a hearty meal for yourself, this recipe will guide you step-by-step to create a delicious homemade lasagna from scratch. Follow the instructions carefully to achieve a perfectly layered dish that’s bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound (450g) ground beef
1 pound (450g) ground Italian sausage
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon suggéra
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Cheese Mixture:
1 container (16 ounces) ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Pasta:
12 lasagna noodles (uncooked or pre-cooked, based on preference)
Salt for boiling water
Additional Ingredients:
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce
1. Heat the oil: In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Cook the meat: Add the ground beef and Italian sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Continue stirring until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains.
3. Sauté onions and garlic: Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
4. Add tomatoes and seasoning: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well to combine. Add the dried basil, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
5. Let it cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the sauce simmer for 20-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
6. Finish with parsley: Once cooked, stir in the fresh parsley and adjust the seasoning if needed. Set the sauce aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture
1. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
2. Add egg and seasoning: Crack the egg into the bowl and mix it thoroughly into the cheese mixture. Add ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper, and stir until smooth and well-blended.
Step 3: Cook the Lasagna Noodles
1. Boil water: Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil.
2. Cook the noodles: Add the lasagna noodles and cook them according to the package instructions (if using pre-cooked noodles, skip this step). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. Drain and cool: Once the noodles are cooked, drain them in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Lay them flat on a clean surface to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna
1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Layer 1 - Sauce: Spread a thin layer of meat sauce evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
3. Layer 2 - Noodles: Arrange three lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping their edges.
4. Layer 3 - Cheese mixture: Spread one-third of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles using a spatula.
5. Repeat layers: Continue layering in the following order: meat sauce, noodles, cheese mixture. Repeat this process until you have three complete layers. Ensure the final layer is meat sauce.
6. Top with mozzarella: Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer of meat sauce.
Step 5: Bake the Lasagna
1. Cover with foil: Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from browning too quickly.
2. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.
3. Uncover and finish baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden-brown crust.
4. Cool: Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing. This allows the layers to set and makes serving easier.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve just made a classic homemade lasagna. This recipe combines rich layers of hearty meat sauce, creamy cheese, and tender pasta to create a dish that’s both satisfying and flavorful. Serve it with a fresh green salad and warm garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
The beauty of lasagna lies not only in its taste but also in its versatility. Feel free to customize this recipe by adding vegetables li
ke spinach or zucchini or by using ground turkey instead of beef. No matter how you choose to prepare it, this lasagna is guaranteed to impress. Enjoy every bite!
