Traditional Lasagna

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 50 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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There's nothing quite like a hearty, homemade lasagna to bring comfort and joy to your table. This traditional recipe combines rich, meaty layers with creamy cheese and perfectly cooked noodles for a dish that's sure to satisfy.

Ingredients for Traditional Lasagna

Lasagna noodles form the backbone of your dish, giving structure and texture. Ground beef and ground pork add richness and depth to the meat sauce. Onion and garlic are essentials for building flavor from the start. The olive oil helps sauté the aromatics to perfection.

Crushed tomatoes and tomato paste are the heart of the sauce, providing that classic tomato flavor. Dried basil and dried oregano bring that unmistakable Italian flair, while black pepper and salt balance the flavors. Fresh parsley adds a touch of color and freshness.

Ricotta cheese mixed with an egg creates a creamy layer that complements the meat. Mozzarella cheese melts beautifully for that gooey, cheesy top we all love. Finally, Parmesan cheese gives a salty, umami finish that ties it all together.

Tips & Tricks

  • If your noodles tend to stick, lay them flat on a baking sheet with a bit of olive oil.
  • For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer. This reduces the liquid and intensifies the flavor.
  • Use fresh mozzarella for an extra creamy top layer.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your lasagna with a simple green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and a crusty baguette to soak up any leftover sauce. A glass of red wine, like Chianti, pairs beautifully with this dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the lasagna a day in advance and refrigerate it. Just add about 10 minutes to the baking time.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Absolutely! Lasagna freezes well for up to three months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly before freezing.
What can I use instead of ground pork?
You can substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.

Traditional Lasagna Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures it's ready to go when you are. While that heats up, cook the lasagna noodles according to their package instructions. Once done, drain them and set them aside, but be careful they don't stick together.

Now, let's get started on the sauce. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. Add the ground beef and ground pork, breaking them up with a wooden spoon, and cook until they're browned through.

Once the meat is cooked, stir in the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste. Sprinkle in the basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let it simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows all those flavors to meld together beautifully.

While the sauce is simmering, prepare the cheese mixture. In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Now, it's time to assemble. Spread a layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a baking dish. Lay down three noodles, then cover them with half of the ricotta mixture and a third of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers, finishing with noodles, the remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and the rest of the Parmesan.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Let it rest for 15 minutes before slicing. This lets everything set up nicely, so your pieces stay intact when served.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Layered with flavor: Every bite is packed with a perfect balance of meat, cheese, and sauce.
  • Family-friendly: A crowd-pleaser that's great for gatherings or weeknight dinners.
  • Make-ahead magic: Prepare it in advance and pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat.

Ingredients

9 lasagna noodles
1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp dried basil
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
15 oz ricotta cheese
1 egg
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
4. Add ground beef and pork, cook until browned.
5. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes.
6. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and half of the Parmesan cheese.
7. To assemble, spread a layer of meat sauce in a baking dish, place 3 noodles on top, cover with half the ricotta mixture, then a third of the mozzarella.
8. Repeat the layers, ending with noodles, remaining meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
9. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until cheese is golden.
10. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

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