Best 3 Outstanding Northern Italian Lasagna Recipes

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Lasagna, a classic Italian dish, is a delectable layered casserole that has gained immense popularity worldwide. Originating from the northern regions of Italy, this hearty and flavorful dish showcases the culinary expertise of the region, using fresh, high-quality ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. The perfect northern Italian lasagna is characterized by its rich, meaty sauce, creamy béchamel sauce, delicate pasta sheets, and a generous amount of melted cheese, all combining to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Whether you're a seasoned cook looking to refine your lasagna-making skills or a novice venturing into the world of Italian cuisine, this article will guide you through the steps to create an outstanding northern Italian lasagna that will impress your family and friends.

Let's cook with our recipes!

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA



World's Best Lasagna image

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

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
¾ pound lean ground beef
½ cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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

CLASSIC ITALIAN LASAGNA



Classic Italian Lasagna image

Assemble a Classic Italian Lasagna with Giada De Laurentiis' recipe from Everyday Italian on Food Network. A homemade bechamel sauce makes a big difference.

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus 2 tablespoons for the lasagna
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk at room temperature
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, recipe follows
Salt and white pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound ground chuck beef
Salt and pepper
1 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 pound lasagna sheets, cooked al dente
2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Bechamel sauce:
  • In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
  • In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
  • In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
  • Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
  • In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
  • Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
  • If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

LASAGNA NORTHERN ITALIAN STYLE



Lasagna Northern Italian Style image

A different twist on the basic Sicilian Lasagna we are are so accustomed too. This is loaded with white sauce,meaty tomato sauce,and Mozzarella. It is outstanding,and truly delicious.

Provided by A Dash Of Love

Categories     Pork

Time 1h25m

Yield 1 Lasagna, 8-10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 22

1 lb sweet Italian sausage, cooked with out casing and crumbled
1 large chicken breast half, cooked and chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped and cooked in olive oil
3 grated garlic cloves
3/4 cup dry red wine, i used a mixed red wine
1 3/4 cups water
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
1 (14 ounce) can diced petite tomatoes, drained
2 stalks celery, chopped finely
2 carrots, shredded small
1 dash black pepper
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/3 cup melted butter
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 dash nutmeg
3 cups half-and-half
2 cups mozzarella cheese
1 3/4 cups parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 lb lasagna noodle, partially cooked not soft. follow directions on the box

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350 degree's.
  • make sauce as follows.
  • 1 Cook the sausage, chicken, and onion separately, I poach the chicken first until no pink shows.
  • In a sauce pan mix wine, tomato paste, Petite Tomatoes,water together to combine. Add the garlic,Basil,pepper,Italian Seasoning ,carrots,celery. Add in the chicken and sausage. bring to a boil,and reduce to simmer for one hour uncovered.
  • 2 Mix the Parmesan cheese,parsley,and Mozzarella together and set aside,.
  • 3 Make the white sauce. Melt butter in saucepan on stove on low. Add the flour and mix well. Add the half and half, and salt. Stir constantly while cooking until sauce becomes thick like a heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper.Remove from heat.
  • 4 In a 13x9 inch pan spread 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom. Top with as many Lasagna noodle that will fit. Usually 3-4 will do.
  • 5 Spread half the White sauce over noodles. Put half the Mozzarella on top of white sauce. Next layer Lasagna noodles, meat sauce, Mozzarella mixture. Net Lasagna Meat sauce,White sauce,and top with Mozzarella. Bake at 350 degree's for 45 minutes,or until done.
  • Hashtags: #cheese, #sauce, #casseroles, #lasagna, #pasta, #Italian, #Northern Italian Meat Sauce With Wine,.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 759.8, Fat 36.7, SaturatedFat 20.9, Cholesterol 112.3, Sodium 1452.7, Carbohydrate 67.8, Fiber 5.5, Sugar 10.4, Protein 37.5

Tips:

  • For a richer flavor, use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal.
  • Don't overcook the meat sauce. It should simmer for at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 1 hour.
  • Use fresh lasagna noodles for the best texture. If you're using dried noodles, be sure to cook them according to the package directions.
  • Don't skimp on the cheese. A generous layer of both Parmesan and mozzarella is essential for a classic lasagna.
  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This will help it set and make it easier to cut.

Conclusion:

This classic Northern Italian lasagna recipe is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight meal. With a few simple tips, you can make sure that your lasagna turns out perfect every time. So what are you waiting for? Give this recipe a try today!

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