How to make Lasagna from Italian Cuisine
Lasagna is a classic Italian dish made with layers of pasta, meat sauce, cheese, and often vegetables. It’s a delicious and hearty dish that requires a few steps, but the end result is worth it. Here’s a recipe for making lasagna:
Ingredients:
9 lasagna noodles
1 pound (450g) ground beef or Italian sausage
1 onion, diced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by greasing it with cooking spray or butter.
Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente (cooked but still slightly firm). Drain the noodles and set them aside.
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until it’s browned and cooked through. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water to thin it out.
In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Set aside.
Now it’s time to assemble the lasagna. Start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles on top of the sauce to cover the bottom of the dish.
Spread half of the ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Spoon about one-third of the meat sauce on top of the cheese layer.
Repeat the layers: noodles, cheese mixture, meat sauce. Finally, top with a layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the lasagna.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the lasagna is heated through.
Once the lasagna is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Slice the lasagna into portions and serve it warm. It pairs well with a side salad and garlic bread. Enjoy your homemade lasagna!