🍝 Classic Lasagna
Lasagna is a hearty Italian dish made with layers of pasta, meat, cheese, and tomato sauce, baked to bubbly perfection.
🥄 Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or a mix of beef and pork
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Mixture
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Other Ingredients
- 9–12 lasagna noodles (pre-cooked or oven-ready)
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella for topping
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Meat Sauce
- Heat a skillet over medium heat with a little oil.
- Cook onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer 20–30 minutes until thickened.
2️⃣ Prepare the Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan, and egg until smooth.
3️⃣ Assemble the Lasagna
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer noodles over the sauce.
- Spread a layer of ricotta mixture, then meat sauce, then shredded mozzarella.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with meat sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella on top.
4️⃣ Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 20–25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let rest 10–15 minutes before slicing.
🍴 Serving Tips
- Pair with garlic bread and a green salad.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley for color.
- Add spinach or mushrooms in layers for a veggie variation.
✅ Tip: Use oven-ready noodles to skip boiling, and let the lasagna rest after baking so it slices neatly.
If you want, I can also show you:
- 🇮🇹 Classic Italian lasagna Bolognese recipe
- 🌱 Vegetarian lasagna with ricotta and spinach
- 🧀 Extra cheesy lasagna recipe that’s gooey and indulgent.
Do you want me to give one of these variations?
