Lasagna, a classic Italian dish, is a hearty casserole that pleases palates of all ages. With its layers of pasta, cheese, and sauce, lasagna is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual tastes. Choosing the best cheese for your lasagna is an important step in creating a delicious and memorable dish. Whether you prefer a creamy, gooey cheese or a sharp, flavorful one, there are many options available to suit your preferences. From classic mozzarella and Parmesan to ricotta and pecorino Romano, the type of cheese you choose can make a significant difference in the overall flavor and texture of your lasagna. In this article, we will explore the different types of cheeses commonly used in lasagna and provide tips on how to select the best cheese for your next lasagna creation.
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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
CHEESE LASAGNA
An easy vegetarian lasagna with ricotta, mozzarella and Parmesan.
Provided by MOLSON7
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h5m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and lay lasagna flat on foil to cool.
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, Parmesan, eggs, salt and pepper; mix well.
- In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat and saute garlic for 2 minutes; stir in spaghetti sauce and Italian seasoning. Heat sauce until warmed through, stirring occasionally, 2 to 5 minutes.
- Spread 1/2 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Cover with a layer of noodles. Spread half the ricotta mixture over noodles; top with another noodle layer. Pour 1 1/2 cups of sauce over noodles, and spread the remaining ricotta over the sauce. Top with remaining noodles and sauce and sprinkle mozzarella over all. Cover with greased foil.
- Bake 45 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and top is golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 436.2 calories, Carbohydrate 57.6 g, Cholesterol 119.6 mg, Fat 14.4 g, Fiber 4.9 g, Protein 19.8 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 711.1 mg, Sugar 12.3 g
CLASSIC CHEESE LASAGNA
A simple yet robust marinara and a trio of cheeses meld into an intensely flavorful lasagna. A classic, perfected.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Main Dish Recipes Casserole Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine ricotta, egg, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Season with pepper. Coarsely grate 1/2 of the mozzarella, and stir into ricotta mixture. Using your fingers, shred remaining mozzarella into 2-inch strips, and reserve.
- Spread 1/2 cup marinara in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Place a layer of noodles over marinara. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over noodles, and sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan. Place a layer of noodles over the cheese layer. Spread 1 cup marinara over noodles. Repeat layering (noodles, marinara, noodles, ricotta mixture, Parmesan) 2 more times. Spread remaining marinara over cheese layer, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella.
- Place baking dish on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until cheese is golden brown and sauce is bubbling, 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
5-CHEESE LASAGNE
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h10m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the lasagne noodles.
- To make the sauce: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a medium sauce pot, saute garlic and onion until the onions become translucent. Add crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning and salt and pepper, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer about 20 minutes, checking periodically to make sure the sauce doesn't burn.
- Boil the lasagne noodles until al dente, about 15 minutes. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with olive oil so the noodles don't stick together. Let cool.
- This lasagne will have 4 layers but 2 different types of cheese layers. One cheese layer will consist of mascarpone, ricotta, Parmesan and egg to bind. Combine these 4 ingredients in a bowl and set aside briefly. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Layer 4 to 5 lasagne noodles lengthwise side by side in an ovenproof lasagne dish with edges overlapping. Top with half of the mascarpone/ricotta cheese mixture. (It is easiest to drop evenly spaced spoonfuls of this over the noodles, and then spread it out.) Distribute half of the fresh basil and half of the fresh oregano over the cheese, then layer another 4 or 5 lasagne noodles over the cheese in the same fashion as the first layer of noodles.
- The second layer of cheese will consist of provolone and mozzarella. Spread half of the provolone cheese slices over the second layer of noodles and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella. Repeat the process with the noodles, remaining mascarpone/ricotta and noodles for the third layer. For the last layer, spread out the remaining noodles, top with remaining provolone, but then ladle the tomato sauce over and finish with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, remove and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs.
BEST LASAGNA
Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. -Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage, beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, breaking up meat into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain., Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 3 tablespoons parsley, basil, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally., In a small bowl, mix egg, ricotta cheese and remaining parsley and salt., Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 2 cups meat sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles and a third of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and cheeses (dish will be full)., Bake, covered, 25 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 519 calories, Fat 27g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 109mg cholesterol, Sodium 1013mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 35g protein.
CLASSIC CHEESE LASAGNA
Discover a marvelously melty Classic Cheese Lasagna. Make this terrifically cheesy dish with ricotta filling, pasta sauce and noodles! This Classic Cheese Lasagna serves 12, making it perfect to share or to have plenty of leftovers to freeze.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Pasta
Time 1h5m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Mix ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, parsley and egg until blended.
- Spread 3/4 cup pasta sauce onto bottom of 13x9-inch baking dish; top with 3 lasagna noodles and 1/3 of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layers of sauce, noodles and ricotta mixture twice; cover with remaining noodles and sauce. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan.
- Bake 45 min. or until heated through. Let stand 15 min. before cutting to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350, Fat 19 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 90 mg, Sodium 820 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 21 g
SIX-CHEESE LASAGNA
No one will ever guess how easy this hearty lasagna is to make. No-boil noodles and prepared spaghetti sauce save time and also, extra pots and pans. If your family is like mine, they'll love this! -Jodi Anderson, Vassar, Kansas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h25m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook beef and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce. In a large bowl, combine eggs, ricotta, cottage, Parmesan and Romano cheeses., Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce mixture in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with 4 noodles. Spread 1-1/2 cups sauce to edges of noodles. Sprinkle with 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Top with ricotta mixture, provolone cheese and remaining noodles, sauce and mozzarella cheese., Cover and bake 50 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until cheese is lightly browned. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting. Freeze option:Cool unbaked casseroles; cover and freeze up to 3 months. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350deg;. Bake as directed, increasing time as necessary to heat through and for a thermometer inserted in center to read 165°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 469 calories, Fat 27g fat (14g saturated fat), Cholesterol 135mg cholesterol, Sodium 1005mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 37g protein.
BEST ITALIAN LASAGNA EVER!
This is the best lasagna recipe I have ever made. I had one lasagna several years ago that was out of this world and while this is not the same one, it is the closest one I have ever found. I like to make two and freeze one for later use.
Provided by alhardin
Categories Kid Friendly
Time 1h20m
Yield 1 lasagna, 8-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Boil noodles and drain (you may also use uncooked noodles).
- Sauté garlic, sugar and salt.
- Add sausage and ground beef and brown, breaking into small crumbles.
- Add basil, pepper, tomatoes and paste; simmer 20-30 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Mix together in bowl, ricotta, egg and parsley (add milk if it's too thick).
- Layer sauce to cover bottom of pan, noodles 1/2 of ricotta mixture, 1/4 c of parmesan, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce and parmesan.
- Bake covered for 25 minutes.
- Uncover and bake another 25 minutes.
- Let cool about 10-15 minutes then cut and serve.
- Leftovers may be frozen and then heated in the oven until hot and melty.
- Goes great with crusty garlic toast and a salad.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 890.3, Fat 53, SaturatedFat 26.2, Cholesterol 196.3, Sodium 2022, Carbohydrate 47.7, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 12.5, Protein 55.6
WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA
This recipe may take a bit more time and have more ingredients that other lasagna recipes but it's all worth it when you taste end result. Courtesy of John Chandler.
Provided by dojemi
Categories < 4 Hours
Time 2h30m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
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 tablespoon 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.
Tips:
- Use a combination of cheeses for the best flavor and texture. A good starting point is a mix of mozzarella, ricotta, and Parmesan.
- Freshly grated cheese is always best, so avoid using pre-packaged shredded cheese.
- Don't overcook the cheese. It should be melted and bubbly, but not browned.
- For a cheesy crust, sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top of the lasagna before baking.
- Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help the cheese to set and prevent it from oozing out.
Conclusion:
The type of cheese you use for lasagna is a matter of personal preference, but there are a few general guidelines you can follow to ensure that your lasagna is delicious. By using a combination of cheeses, grating your own cheese, and not overcooking it, you can create a lasagna that is sure to please everyone at the table. So, experiment with different cheeses and find the combination that you like best. Lasagna is a versatile dish that can be customized to your taste, so don't be afraid to get creative!
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