The Easiest Lasagna Recipe Ever Cooking Classy from www.cookingclassy.com
Introduction
Lasagne is one of the most popular Italian dishes, and for a good reason. It is a hearty and comforting meal that is perfect for a family dinner. This traditional lasagne recipe is easy to make and will satisfy your appetite. It is made with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese that are baked to perfection. In this recipe, we will be using ground beef, but you can substitute it with sausage, chicken, or vegetables for a vegetarian version.
Ingredient
For the meat sauce, you will need: - 1 pound ground beef - 1 onion, chopped - 3 garlic cloves, minced - 1 can tomato paste - 2 cans crushed tomatoes - 1 tablespoon dried basil - 1 tablespoon dried oregano - Salt and pepper to taste For the cheese layer, you will need: - 1 pound ricotta cheese - 1 egg - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley - Salt and pepper to taste For the lasagne layers, you will need: - 1 pound lasagne noodles - 1 pound mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. 2. To make the meat sauce, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned and the onion is translucent. 3. Add the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 20 minutes. 4. To make the cheese layer, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper in a bowl. 5. Cook the lasagne noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. 6. To assemble the lasagne, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add a layer of lasagne noodles on top. 7. Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Add a layer of meat sauce on top of the ricotta cheese. 8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the meat sauce. 9. Repeat the layers until you have used all the noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, and meat sauce. Top with a final layer of mozzarella cheese. 10. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. 11. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 12. Let the lasagne cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This traditional lasagne recipe makes 8 servings. Each serving contains approximately: - 660 calories - 35 grams of fat - 45 grams of carbohydrates - 40 grams of protein - 4 grams of fiber
Tips and Variations
- You can make the meat sauce and the cheese layer ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - You can also freeze the lasagne before baking it. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to bake it, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then bake it according to the recipe instructions. - You can add other vegetables to the meat sauce, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. - You can substitute the ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or pork for a different flavor. - You can also make a vegetarian version of this lasagne by omitting the meat and adding more vegetables, such as spinach, eggplant, or cauliflower.
