Best 9 Classic Lasagna With A Secret Ingredient Or Two Recipes

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Lasagna, a timeless Italian dish, is a culinary masterpiece that has captivated palates for generations. This classic dish, with its layers of pasta, rich sauce, and melted cheese, is a symphony of flavors and textures that never fails to satisfy. While the traditional lasagna recipe is a beloved classic, there are countless variations that add unique twists and flavors to this iconic dish. In this article, we will embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for classic lasagna, incorporating secret ingredients that elevate this dish to new heights of deliciousness.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

Classic but elevated, this is the lasagna you'll want to make for big family dinners and special occasions.

Provided by Jennifer Segal

Categories     Dinner

Time 2h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
5 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
2 medium carrots, roughly chopped
1 stalk celery, roughly chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1½ pounds Italian sausage (bulk or removed from casing)
¾ cup dry red wine
1 (28 oz.) can crushed tomatoes
½ cup heavy cream
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons sugar
1½ teaspoons dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 (15 oz.) container whole milk ricotta (about 1¾ cups)
3 oz. cream cheese
1 large egg
1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
¾ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
¾ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ cup roughly chopped fresh basil
12 oven ready (no boil) lasagna noodles (such as Barilla)
16 ounces shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Steps:

  • Place the onions, garlic, carrot and celery in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade; pulse until finely minced but not puréed.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the sausage into the pan and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking the sausage into small pieces, until slightly browned but not cooked all the way through, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the partially cooked sausage to a plate. Set aside.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the pan, reduce the heat to medium, and add the minced vegetables. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are very soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Do not brown; reduce the heat if necessary.
  • Add the wine; continue cooking, stirring to scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pan, until the wine is mostly absorbed by the vegetables, a few minutes.
  • Add the tomatoes, cream, salt, pepper, sugar, thyme and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the sauce is thickened, about 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, transfer the sausage to a cutting board and chop into smaller pieces (big chunks don't work well in lasagna).
  • Add the sausage back to the pan and continue simmering, covered, until the sausage is fully cooked and the flavors meld together, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Fish out the bay leaves and discard.
  • Combine the ricotta, cream cheese, egg, garlic, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process until evenly combined. Add the basil and pulse until finely chopped.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  • Spread about 1½ cups of sauce in the bottom of a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Arrange 3 noodles over the sauce. Dollop a third of the ricotta filling over the noodles, then spread evenly to cover. Sprinkle with ¾ cup of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, ricotta filling and mozzarella 2 more times. Top with the remaining 3 noodles. Spoon the remaining sauce over the noodles, then sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano.
  • Spray a large piece of foil with nonstick cooking spray. Cover the lasagna tightly with the foil, sprayed side down. Bake for 40 minutes. Carefully uncover and increase the oven temperature to 400°F. Bake, uncovered, until the noodles are tender, the sauce is bubbling, and the edges are golden and puffed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for about 15 minutes before serving.
  • Make-Ahead Instructions: The lasagna can be assembled and refrigerated up to 1 day ahead of time.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The lasagna can be frozen for up to 3 months. If freezing it prior to baking, when you're ready to cook it, defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours, then proceed with the baking instructions in the recipe. If the lasagna is already cooked, you can either put it in a freezer-safe container that just fits the leftover piece, or you can cut into individual pieces and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Reheat it, covered with foil, in a 325°F oven until hot.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice, Calories 776, Fat 45g, Carbohydrate 47g, Protein 46g, SaturatedFat 23g, Sugar 9g, Fiber 4g, Sodium 1812mg, Cholesterol 158mg

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

Make this classic lasagna recipe zestier by using hot Italian sausage or a little milder with regular Italian sausage. Don't be scared off by the long cooking time. The wait is well worth it. It's a great dish to make for a crowd and easy to adjust for varying tastes. The leftovers are even better when reheated the next day.

Provided by Barb R

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 15

9 lasagna noodles
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground beef
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1 (16 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon dried basil
4 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
3 eggs, beaten
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pound shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and olive oil; cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
  • Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium heat; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, garlic salt, oregano, thyme, basil, and tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
  • Ladle enough of the meat sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish to cover the bottom in a thin layer. Form a layer atop the sauce with 3 of the lasagna noodles. Spread about 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture and then ladle about 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering twice more, topping with the remaining 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake in preheated oven 90 minutes. Allow to sit 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 646.7 calories, Carbohydrate 31.2 g, Cholesterol 173.5 mg, Fat 41.4 g, Fiber 4.3 g, Protein 38.8 g, SaturatedFat 18 g, Sodium 2027.4 mg, Sugar 9.1 g

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

While not a 30-minute meal, this lasagna is quicker and more straightforward than most. If you're in a real time crunch, use your favorite jarred red sauce. For greater success with the lasagna noodles, which have a tendency to stick together, boil them in the largest pot possible or work in batches - they need as much water as possible to move freely so they don't clump. This lasagna can be assembled, baked and refrigerated up to five days ahead, or frozen up to a month ahead if wrapped tightly.

Provided by Alison Roman

Categories     dinner, weekday, weeknight, casseroles, pastas, main course

Time 2h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound Italian sausage, sweet or hot (optional), casings removed
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (28-ounce) can whole, peeled tomatoes
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
Kosher salt
1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella, grated or shredded into small pieces
16 ounces (2 cups) whole milk ricotta
1 cup coarsely grated Parmesan, plus more for sprinkling on top (optional)
1/4 cup heavy cream
Freshly ground pepper
1 pound dried lasagna noodles (not the no-boil variety)
Olive oil

Steps:

  • Make the sauce: Heat oil in a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Add sausage, if using, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's starting to brown but not yet crisp, about 5 minutes.
  • Add onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is totally softened and translucent (without letting it brown), 8 to 10 minutes. Add tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring until the tomato paste has turned a deeper brick red color, tinting the oil and onions a fiery orange color, about 2 minutes.
  • Using your hands, crush the whole tomatoes into smaller, bite-size pieces and add them and the crushed tomatoes, stirring to scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pot. Fill one of the tomato cans halfway with water and add it to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato sauce has thickened and flavors have come together, 20 to 30 minutes.
  • Make the lasagna: Heat oven to 375 degrees and set a large pot of salted water to boil.
  • Set aside 1 cup mozzarella. In a medium bowl, combine remaining mozzarella, ricotta, 1 cup Parmesan and cream; season with salt and pepper and set aside.
  • Cook lasagna noodles in the large pot of salted boiling water until just softened (before they are even aldente), about 4 minutes. Drain and separate any noodles that are trying to stick together, slicking them with a bit of olive oil to prevent them from sticking further.
  • Spoon a bit of sauce on the bottom of a 3-quart baking dish and top with a layer of noodles, avoiding any heavy overlap.
  • Top with about 1 ¼ cups of sauce, and dollop ¼ of the cheese mixture over. Top with another layer of noodles and repeat three more times, ending with the last of the noodles (depending on size of the noodle/shape of the baking dish, you may have a few extra noodles) and the last of the sauce. Top with reserved 1 cup mozzarella and more Parmesan, if you like.
  • Cover loosely with aluminum foil and place baking dish on a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (to prevent any overflow from burning on the bottom of your oven).
  • Bake until pasta is completely tender and cooked through and sauce is bubbling up around the edges, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil and increase temperature to 450 degrees. Continue to bake until lasagna is golden brown on top with frilly, crispy edges and corners, another 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool slightly before eating.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 938, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Carbohydrate 61 grams, Fat 58 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 44 grams, SaturatedFat 26 grams, Sodium 1333 milligrams, Sugar 11 grams

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

This was give to my by one of my girl friends Pat Belcher in 2005. So tasty I asked and received her recipe

Provided by Joey Urey

Categories     Pasta

Time 1h40m

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 lb ground beef
3/4 c chopped onion
2 Tbsp oil
1 can(s) (1 lb) tomatoes, chopped or pureed
12 oz tomato paste
2 c water
1 Tbsp chopped parsley
2 tsp salt
1 tsp sugr
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp oregano leaves
8 oz lasagna noodles, cooked
1 lb ricotta cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 c grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • 1. In a large heavy skillet, lightly brown meat and onion in oil.
  • 2. Add tomatoes, paste, water, parsley, salt, sugar, garlic powder, pepper,and oregano and simmer uncovered about 30 minutes.
  • 3. Cook noodles as directed; drain.
  • 4. Spread about1 cup sauce in bottom of 9x13 pan
  • 5. Alternate layers of noodles, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella & parmesan, ending with sauce, mozzarella & parmesan.
  • 6. Bake 40-50 minutes @ 350. Allow to stand 15 minutes, cut in squares.

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

I make this a lot and serve with Italian garlic bread and salad. It always gets a rave review, especially if the mozzarella strings with every bite. This recipe comes from my mother. I think she got it off the back of a "Mueller's Lasagna box.

Provided by keen5

Categories     Meat

Time 1h50m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 lb ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons salad oil or 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 (1 lb) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 cups water
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder (I use real clove garlic, minced)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves
4 ounces lasagna noodles
1 lb ricotta cheese
8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese (I like it cheesey, so I use more)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In large heavy pan lightly brown beef and onion in oil.
  • Add tomatoes, paste, water, parsley, salt, sugar, garlic, pepper, and oregano; simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally about 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile cook lasagne as directed; drain.
  • In 13x9x2" baking pan, spread about 1 cup sauce.
  • Then alternate layers of lasagne, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and parmesean cheese, ending with sauce, mozzarella and parmesean.
  • Bake at 350 for 40 to 50 minutes until lightly browned and bubbling.
  • Allow to stand for 15 minutes; cut in squares to serve.
  • Makes 8 servings.
  • I make this a lot and serve with Italian garlic bread and salad.
  • It always gets a rave review, especially if the mozzarella strings with every bite.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.1, Fat 29.8, SaturatedFat 14.5, Cholesterol 101, Sodium 1453, Carbohydrate 28.1, Fiber 3.7, Sugar 7.3, Protein 33

SECRET INGREDIENT LASAGNA



Secret Ingredient Lasagna image

The first time I ate this lasagna, I was trying to figure out what spices made this so unique! It has been my favorite ever since.

Provided by dalamy

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 4h

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 20

2 lbs ground chuck
3 tablespoons onion flakes or 1 small onion, finely minced
1/16 teaspoon allspice
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 tablespoon parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seeds
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil
6 ounces tomato paste
15 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
2 (9 ounce) barilla rolled flat lasagna noodles
15 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 1/2 cups kraft parmesan cheese
4 -6 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
18 barilla lasagna noodles

Steps:

  • Brown ground chuck with onion. Drain off grease and add allspice and garlic. Saute for 3 minutes. Add salt, pepper, fennel, cinnamon, oregano, and basil. Stir until meat is well coated. Stir in tomato paste until meat is well coated. Stir in tomato sauce and water. Simmer covered for 2 hours.
  • Boil 18 of the noodles for 5 minutes just to soften. Drain and rinse with cold water. Lay flat on layered paper towels so the noodles do not stick together.
  • Mix together ricotta cheese, egg, and ½ cup parmesan cheese.
  • Spray a 15 x 11 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread a small amount of sauce on bottom just to keep the noodles from sticking. Then layer in this order: 6 noodles, 1/3 of meat sauce, ½ of ricotta cheese mix, 1/3 cup of parmesan (sprinkle to cover), 1/3 of shredded cheese mix, 6 noodles, 1/3 of meat sauce, ½ of ricotta mixture, 1/3 cup of parmesan cheese(sprinkle to cover), 1/3 of shredded cheese, 6 noodles, 1/3 of meat sauce, 1/3 shredded cheese mix, and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (sprinkle to cover).
  • Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes until bubbly. Remove foil and continue baking for 15 additional minutes or until the cheese on top browns slightly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 559.3, Fat 16.6, SaturatedFat 8, Cholesterol 96.6, Sodium 784.8, Carbohydrate 65.9, Fiber 4, Sugar 5.3, Protein 35.4

CLASSIC LASAGNA WITH A SECRET INGREDIENT OR TWO



Classic Lasagna With A Secret Ingredient Or Two image

I love Italian food. Lasagna is one of my all time favorites. I've never cared much for ricotta cheese though, so for this recipe I always use more mozzarella than ricotta. Hope you like it!

Provided by Ashley Ventura

Categories     Pasta

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/2 lb ground beef
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 can(s) tomatoes, canned italian style with juice (28 ounces)
2 can(s) tomato paste (6 ounces each)
2 c water
4 Tbsp parsley, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano, fresh
8 oz lasagna noodles, uncooked
1/2 lb ricotta cheese
1 1/2 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 c parmesan cheese, grated
4 large hard boiled eggs, sliced
2 c zucchini, sliced

Steps:

  • 1. Using a large heavy pan, lightly brown the ground beef in olive oil.
  • 2. Add tomatoes (with the juice), tomato paste, water, parsley, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. *Optional, add 3/4 cup chopped onions.*
  • 3. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
  • 4. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles as directed on the package.
  • 5. In a 9"x13" baking pan, spread 1 cup of sauce.
  • 6. Then in same pan, alternate layers of noodles, sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, parmesan, hard-boiled eggs, and zucchini. Ending with sauce, mozzarella and parmesan.
  • 7. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until bubbling and lightly browned.
  • 8. Eat & Enjoy!

CLASSIC LASAGNA



Classic Lasagna image

A definite crowd-pleaser, this classic lasagna is thick, rich and meaty with lots of cheese-just the way I like it. Even though my parents were Hungarian, I have a weakness for savory Italian foods like this. -Suzanne Barker, Bellingham, Washington

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground beef
1-1/2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon each sugar, dried oregano and basil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, divided
2 cartons (15 ounces each) ricotta cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 large egg
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
1 package (12 ounces) lasagna noodles, cooked, rinsed and drained
2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Steps:

  • In a large saucepan, cook the sausage, beef, onion, carrot and pepper flakes over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain. , Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, oregano, basil, salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. , In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, egg, parsley and remaining pepper. , In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, layer a fourth of the noodles, a third of the ricotta mixture, a fourth of the meat sauce and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with the remaining noodles, sauce and Parmesan cheese. , Cover and bake at 400° for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella; bake, uncovered, 10 minutes longer or until a thermometer reads 160°. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337 calories, Fat 15g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 71mg cholesterol, Sodium 636mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 21g protein.

CLASSIC LASAGNE



Classic lasagne image

Prepare this easy lasagne ahead of time and save in the freezer, uncooked, for when you need it during a busy week. Then just bake for an extra 45 mins.

Provided by Emma Lewis

Categories     Dinner, Lunch, Main course

Time 2h

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 tbsp olive oil, plus a little for the dish
750g lean beef mince
90g pack prosciutto
half quantity of our tomato sauce
200ml hot beef stock
a little grated nutmeg
300g pack fresh lasagne sheets
half quantity of our white sauce
125g ball mozzarella, torn into thin strips

Steps:

  • To make the meat sauce, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and cook 750g lean beef mince in two batches for about 10 mins until browned all over.
  • Finely chop 4 slices of prosciutto from a 90g pack, then stir through the meat mixture.
  • Pour over 800g passata or half our basic tomato sauce recipe and 200ml hot beef stock. Add a little grated nutmeg, then season.
  • Bring up to the boil, then simmer for 30 mins until the sauce looks rich.
  • Heat oven to 180C/fan/160C/gas 4 and lightly oil an ovenproof dish (about 30 x 20cm).
  • Spoon one third of the meat sauce into the dish, then cover with some fresh lasagne sheets from a 300g pack. Drizzle over roughly 130g ready-made or homemade white sauce.
  • Repeat until you have 3 layers of pasta. Cover with the remaining 390g white sauce, making sure you can't see any pasta poking through.
  • Scatter 125g torn mozzarella over the top.
  • Arrange the rest of the prosciutto on top. Bake for 45 mins until the top is bubbling and lightly browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 580 calories, Fat 32 grams fat, SaturatedFat 14 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 31 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 44 grams protein, Sodium 1.71 milligram of sodium

Tips:

  • Use a variety of cheeses for the best flavor. A combination of mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta is a classic choice.
  • Don't overcook the lasagna noodles. They should be cooked al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help it set and make it easier to cut.
  • If you're short on time, you can use no-boil lasagna noodles. These noodles are designed to be cooked in the sauce, so you don't have to boil them separately.
  • To make a vegetarian lasagna, omit the ground beef and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.

Conclusion:

Lasagna is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its many variations, there's sure to be a lasagna recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give lasagna a try. You won't be disappointed.

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