Homemade lasagna is a classic Italian dish that’s loved by many. Here’s a basic recipe for making a delicious homemade lasagna:
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef or a mixture of beef and pork
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Additional Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground meat over medium heat until it’s browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté for a few minutes until they’re soft and fragrant.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red wine (if using), dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prepare the Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1 cup of shredded mozzarella, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom to prevent sticking.
- Place three lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
- Spread half of the cheese filling over the noodles.
- Add a layer of meat sauce, followed by a layer of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Repeat these layers – noodles, cheese filling, meat sauce, and cheeses.
- Top the lasagna with the final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.
- Bake:
- Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for about 25-30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve:
- Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps the layers set, making it easier to serve.
Enjoy your homemade lasagna with a side salad and some garlic bread for a complete meal!
