Lasagna, a beloved staple of Italian cuisine, has a rich history that spans centuries. Traditionally, it’s a dish that requires time and patience, layering sheets of pasta with cheese, meat sauce, and sometimes vegetables. However, in today’s fast-paced world, finding shortcuts to classic recipes without compromising on taste is essential. This article simplifies the classic lasagna into an easy lasagna recipe that anyone can make, ensuring a delicious outcome every time.
Ingredients for an Easy Lasagna
The key to a delicious lasagna lies in its ingredients. For this easy recipe, you’ll need:
- Pasta noodles, preferably lasagna sheets
- Meat: a combination of Italian sausage and ground beef for depth of flavor
- Cheese: a rich blend of Ricotta, Mozzarella, and Parmesan
- Sauce: a simple yet tasty pasta sauce or marinara sauce
- Optional: Spinach for a healthy twist
For those looking to explore further, consider visiting Food Network’s Homemade Garlic Bread Recipe, the perfect side dish to complement your lasagna.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Easy Lasagna
Creating an easy lasagna involves a few simple steps:
- Preparing the Meat Sauce
- Cook the Italian sausage and ground beef with onion and garlic until browned. Drain any excess fat and add your pasta sauce, simmering until thickened.
- Mixing the Cheese Filling
- Combine Ricotta, a portion of Mozzarella, Parmesan, and an egg. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Boiling the Pasta
- Cook the lasagna sheets in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Layering the Lasagna
- Start with a layer of meat sauce in your baking dish, followed by a layer of pasta sheets, and then a layer of the cheese mixture. Repeat until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
- Baking
- Cover with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil, add the remaining Mozzarella, and bake for another 15 minutes until browned and bubbly.
For an added touch, consider serving your lasagna with a fresh Italian salad, dressed with a homemade dressing from Allrecipes’ Italian Salad Dressing Recipe.
Serving and Storage
- Serving: Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This ensures it holds its shape and enhances the flavors.
- Storage: Lasagna stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and can be frozen for longer storage.
FAQs
- Can I make lasagna ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare lasagna up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Can I freeze lasagna? Both unbaked and baked lasagna can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Substitutions for ricotta cheese? Cottage cheese is a great alternative.
- How long should I bake lasagna? Typically, lasagna bakes for about 60 minutes in total.
- Tips for layering lasagna? Ensure even layers by spreading each component (sauce, pasta, cheese) thinly and evenly.
Conclusion
This easy lasagna recipe offers a straightforward approach to a classic dish, perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting weekend meal. By following these simple steps and using quality ingredients, you can create a lasagna that rivals those found in Italian restaurants. Don’t forget to explore additional recipes and tips, such as those found on Smithsonian Magazine’s History of Lasagna, to deepen your appreciation and knowledge of this timeless dish.
Easy Lasagna
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 sheets lasagna noodles uncooked
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 4 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shredded and divided
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 36 oz pasta sauce *see note
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large pot of salted water, boil lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, brown Italian sausage and ground beef with onion and garlic over medium-high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Stir in the pasta sauce and simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes or until thickened.
- In a separate bowl, combine 1 ½ cups mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ricotta, and an egg. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread 1 cup of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer with 3 lasagna noodles, ⅓ of the ricotta cheese mixture, and 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat layers twice more. Top with remaining noodles and sauce.
- Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese, and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbly.
