Classic lasagna is a hearty and delicious Italian dish, characterized by layers of pasta, rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel, and melted cheese. You start by preparing the meat sauce, typically made with ground beef or pork, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of Italian herbs. While the sauce simmers, you cook the lasagna noodles until al dente. To assemble, you layer the noodles, meat sauce, béchamel sauce, and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. The final step is baking it until the cheese is golden and bubbly, creating a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
The history of lasagna dates back to ancient Rome, where a similar dish called “lasanum” referred to the pot in which the food was cooked. The recipe evolved over centuries, with the first recorded lasagna recipe appearing in a medieval Italian cookbook. In the region of Emilia-Romagna, the dish took its modern form, featuring layers of pasta, ragù (meat sauce), béchamel, and cheese. Lasagna gained widespread popularity in the 19th and 20th centuries, becoming a staple in Italian cuisine and a favorite comfort food worldwide. Today, classic lasagna remains a beloved dish, enjoyed for its rich flavors and satisfying layers.
#### Prep Time:
30 minutes
#### Cook Time:
1 hour
#### Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes
#### Servings:
8
#### Yield:
1 9×13-inch lasagna
#### Ingredients:
– **For the Meat Sauce:**
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1 pound Italian sausage
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 4 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cans (15 ounces each) tomato sauce
– 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
– 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
– 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
– 2 tablespoons sugar
– 2 teaspoons dried basil
– 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– **For the Ricotta Mixture:**
– 15 ounces ricotta cheese
– 1 large egg
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
– **For Assembling:**
– 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions
– 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
– 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat your oven** to 375°F (190°C).
2. **Make the Meat Sauce:**
– In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, Italian sausage, and onion until browned. Drain any excess fat.
– Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
– Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, red wine (if using), sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
– Simmer the sauce for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. **Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:**
– In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and parsley. Mix well.
4. **Assemble the Lasagna:**
– Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
– Place 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
– Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over the noodles.
– Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta mixture.
– Spoon 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella.
– Repeat the layers twice more, ending with a final layer of meat sauce.
– Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. **Bake:**
– Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
– Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden.
6. **Let the lasagna rest** for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your hearty, delicious lasagna!
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Feel free to add a layer of spinach or mushrooms if you like some extra veggies in your lasagna!