Lasagna is a classic comfort food that is perfect for feeding a crowd or for meal prepping. This guide will walk you through the steps to make a delicious and classic lasagna dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) of crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups of beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 15 oz of ricotta cheese
- 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the ground beef or Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until it is browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Pour the crushed tomatoes, beef or chicken broth, dried basil, and dried oregano into the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until they are al dente. Drain them and set them aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Place 3 of the cooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture on top of the noodles.
- Repeat this layering process once more, ending with a final layer of meat sauce and the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
- Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Tips:
- Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or zucchini to the layers for added nutrition.
- You can also use pre-made meat sauce or a meatless sauce if you prefer.
- You can make the lasagna ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer before baking.
Note: Lasagna is a dish that can be easily customized to your taste, you can add more or less of certain ingredients or even add different types of meats and vegetables. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!
