Lasagna is a classic Italian dish, made of layers of flat pasta interspersed with a variety of fillings. The most common fillings are ground beef, ricotta cheese, and tomato sauce. Lasagna is usually baked in an oven and served hot. It’s a hearty, comforting dish that is great for any occasion. The pasta layers are what makes lasagna so special. The pasta is usually cooked beforehand and then layered with the other ingredients before baking. The fillings can be changed up to suit individual tastes and preferences, making it a versatile dish. The tomato sauce and ricotta cheese are usually the constants that remain in each version. The ground beef can be replaced with a variety of vegetables, sausage, or even seafood if desired. Lasagna is an easy dish to make, requiring minimal preparation and ingredients. The time it takes to bake can vary, but the end result is always worth the wait. Lasagna is a great option for dinner parties or even just a family dinner. Its flavor and texture make it a crowd pleaser and the layers of noodles and fillings create a unique dish that will please all..
Note: Start making the bechamel sauce and cooking the lasagna noodles as soon as you add the tomatoes to the meat sauce. That way they all finish about the same time.
Ingredients
3 tbsp olive oil
2 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2 28 oz cans of San Marzano tomatoes, pureed
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 onions, diced
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups of milk
24 oz ricotta cheese
20 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves of chopped garlic
1lb lasagna sheets
Salt and pepper
Method
Meat Sauce:
Heat oil in a large 8-10 quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
Add the garlic and onions and saute for 3-4 minutes.
Add the beef and pork and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the pureed tomatoes and simmer for 20 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste
Bechamel Sauce:
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a high saucepan.
Add the flour and cook 2 minutes, combining well.
Add the milk, whisking constantly, salt and pepper to taste, and cook until thickened, about 12-15 minutes.
Let cool, then add the ricotta cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese.
Lasagna:
Cook the lasagna noodles in salted water until al dente.
Heat oven to 375 degrees.
lightly coat the bottom of a lasgna pan with olive oil.
Lay 3 sheets of lasagna noodles in the bottom of the pan. top with 1 cup of bechamel sauce and 2 cups of meat sauce.
Repeat until pan is filled, topping the final layer with just meat sauce, and then the rest of the mozzarella, and the parmesan.
Cover with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes.
Remove foil and broil for 5 minutes.
Remove from oven, let rest 10 minutes, slice and serve with crusty bread or garlic bread.
