In the culinary realm, few dishes evoke comfort, indulgence, and sheer delight quite like a lasagna. With its tantalizing layers of pasta, rich sauce, melted cheese, and a symphony of flavors, a well-crafted lasagna is a culinary masterpiece that has captured the hearts and palates of food enthusiasts around the world. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, embarking on a journey to create the perfect lasagna can be both an exciting and rewarding experience. In this article, we will guide you through the intricacies of selecting the right ingredients, preparing each component, and assembling them into a harmonious dish that will leave an unforgettable impression on your taste buds. From classic lasagna recipes to some innovative twists, we've gathered a collection of culinary gems that will elevate your lasagna-making skills and impress your loved ones with every bite. So, prepare to embark on a culinary adventure as we delve into the secrets of crafting a truly exceptional lasagna.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
THE MOST AMAZING LASAGNA RECIPE
The Most Amazing Lasagna Recipe is the best recipe for homemade Italian-style lasagna. The balance between layers of cheese, noodles, and homemade bolognese sauce is perfection!
Provided by Rachel Farnsworth
Categories Main Dish
Time 2h20m
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- In a large pot over medium heat, add in ground sausage and ground beef. Use a spoon to break up the meat into small pieces. Add in onion and garlic and cook until meat is well browned, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar, fresh basil, fennel, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and wine*. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer 1-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, place lasagna noodles into the bottom of a pan. Pour hot tap water directly over the noodles, making sure the pasta is completely immersed in the water. Let them soak for 30 minutes, then drain and discard water.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining 2 tablespoons parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg. Refrigerate until ready to assemble lasagna.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a deep 9x13 pan.
- To assemble, spread about 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared pan. Place 4 noodles on top. Spread with 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with 1/4 of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Repeat layering two more times to create three complete layers. To finish, place a final layer of pasta, topped with another 1 cup of meat sauce to cover the pasta. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes to allow cheese to brown. Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 834 kcal, Carbohydrate 54 g, Protein 63 g, Fat 39 g, SaturatedFat 19 g, Cholesterol 174 mg, Sodium 1514 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA
It takes a little work, but it is worth it.
Provided by John Chandler
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 3h15m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1400.4 mg, Sugar 8.6 g
A VERY SPECIAL LASAGNA
And it really is! It is rich and so delicate in texture and flavors that it becomes an elegant dish for a first course or entree.
Provided by MarieRynr
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 1h30m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- Cook lasagne noodles in boiling salted water until"al dente", still firm to the bite.
- Drain and keep them in cold water until ready to use.
- Saute ground beef, onion, and garlic in olive oil until meat is no longer pink.
- Add remaining ingredients and cook at a fast simmer until sauce is quite thick (about 30 to 40 minutes).
- Preheat oven to 400*F.
- For Bechamel, melt butter, add flour and cook, stirring with a whisk, for one minute.
- Slowly add milk and chicken broth and bring to a boil, still using the whisk.
- Taste and add chicken bouillon cube if needed.
- Add salt.
- For Ricotta filling, beat egg in a bowl and add remaining ingredients, stirring well with a fork.
- IN the following order, layer in a lightly greased 13 X 9 inch baking dish; a little meat sauce, half of the noodles, half of the remaining met sauce, 1/2 cup BEchamel, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella, teleme, and ricotta filling; the remaining noodles and meat sauce, 1/2 cup Bechamel, 1/2 cup Parmesan, the remaining Mozzarella, teleme, Ricotta filling, the last of the Bechamel and Parmesan cheeses.
- Dot with butter.
- At this point the dish may be covered and refrigerated.
- Bring to room temperature.
- Bake at 400*F, uncovered, for 30 minutes, until bubbly.
- The dish freezes well.
MOM'S SPECIAL LASAGNA
This is a recipe that's full of flavor! I've tweaked it quite a bit, the original recipe came from Taste of Home, mom's best edition. Serve with salad and garlic bread!! Cook time includes simmering sauce first and resting time.
Provided by KPD123
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h30m
Yield 8-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook beef, sausage and onion until meat is no longer pink and onion is tender; drain. Stir in the next 10 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1- 3 hours, stirring occasionally. ***This can be done up to one day ahead of time.
- While sauce is cooking, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water.
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.
- In a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish, spoon a little sauce in the bottom of casserole. Then layer in this order: 1/3 of the noodles, 1/2 of the ricotta cheese, 1/3 of the meat mixture and 1/3 of the mozzarella and 1/3 of the Parmesan. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover with aluminum foil.
- ***This can be done ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to eat. Just leave lasagna out on counter for 30-45 minutes before baking.
- Bake at 350° for 45 minutes; uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 641.1, Fat 37.5, SaturatedFat 19.1, Cholesterol 149.9, Sodium 1362.7, Carbohydrate 38.4, Fiber 4.3, Sugar 9.9, Protein 38.7
THE BEST EVER LASAGNA
My brother, Joe, created this lasagna based on our mom's recipe. It's a family favorite at Christmas, thanks to the special ingredients that make it magnifico. -Stephanie Marchese, Taste of Home Visual Production Director
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h45m
Yield 15 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven, cook onion in olive oil over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 3-4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, water, fresh basil, 2 teaspoons sugar and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, cook bulk sausage in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Add to sauce; simmer until mixture is thickened, about 1 hour longer., While sauce simmers, preheat oven to 350°. Place sausage links on a rimmed baking sheet; roast until cooked through, 35-40 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly; slice into 1/4-in.-thick pieces., In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, dried basil and remaining sugar., In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, spread 2 cups sauce. Arrange 4 noodles over sauce; spread with a third of the ricotta mixture. Add 7 provolone slices, a third of the sliced sausage and 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers 2 more times, using only 1 cup sauce per layer. Spread with 2 cups sauce (reserve remaining sauce for serving on the side), remaining 2-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese (dish will be full)., Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, uncovered, until bubbly and deep golden brown, 60-65 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Serve with remaining meat sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 509 calories, Fat 33g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 1185mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 29g protein.
A VERY SPECIAL LASAGNA (ACTUAL NAME, I SWEAR!)
Steps:
- MEAT SAUCE: Cook noodles al dente. Drain and keep in cool water until ready to use. Saute ground beef, onion and garlic in olive oil until meat is no longer pink. Peel, seed and chop tomatoes (or drain canned tomatoes). Add tomatoes, salt, and remaining spices. Cook at a fast simmer until sauce is thick; 30-40 minutes. BECHAMEL SAUCE: Melt butter. Add flour and cook, stirring with a whisk for 1 minute. Slowly add milk and broth. Bring to boil, stirring with whisk. Add boullion and salt. RICOTTA FILLING: Beat egg in bowl. Add cheeses and spices. Stir well with fork. ASSEMBLY: Layer in order in a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish...a little meat sauce, half of noodles, half remaining meat sauce, 1/2 cup bechamel, 1/2 cup parmesan, half of mozzarella and ricotta filling, remaining noodles and meat sauce, 1/2 cup bechamel, 1/2 cup parmesan, remaining mozzarella, ricotta, bechamel and parmesan. Dot with butter. At this point, dish may be covered and refrigerated or frozen. From room temperature, bake at 400 degrees, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or more; until bubbly.
Tips:
- Use fresh lasagna noodles. Fresh noodles have a better texture and flavor than dried noodles.
- Don't overcook the noodles. Lasagna noodles should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
- Use a variety of cheeses. A combination of different cheeses, such as ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, will give your lasagna a more complex flavor.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different fillings. Lasagna can be made with a variety of fillings, such as meat, vegetables, and seafood.
- Let the lasagna rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to set.
Conclusion:
Lasagna is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With so many different recipes to choose from, there's sure to be a lasagna that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give lasagna a try!
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