This article features a classic and mouth-watering recipe for Italian lasagna. The dish consists of pasta sheets, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, homemade meat sauce (made with ground beef, tomato sauce, and crushed tomatoes), and is baked until the cheese turns golden and bubbly. The recipe is divided into four major steps and can be adjusted according to individual preferences, including substituting minced meat with vegetables or vegetarian options. The cooked lasagna can be refrigerated and served later, accompanied by garlic bread and a fresh salad, for a complete Italian dinner experience.

Classic Lasagna: A Traditional and Mouth-Watering Italian Dinner

Introduction

Lasagna is a traditional Italian dish, which is loved and relished by people all over the world. The dish is creamy, savory, and loaded with flavors. The recipe of lasagna has transformed since its origin, but the core elements are still the same – pasta sheets, tomato sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and minced meat.

In this recipe, we will be using minced beef, but you can substitute it with minced chicken, lamb, or just vegetables for a vegetarian option. The recipe consist of three major components – the pasta sheets, meat sauce, and the cheese sauce, which are assembled to make layers and baked until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

Ingredients

Pasta Sheets

• 8 lasagna pasta sheets (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 6 cups of water

Meat Sauce

• 1 pound ground beef
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 can tomato sauce (16 oz)
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 tbsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Cheese Sauce

• 2 cups of ricotta cheese
• 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
• 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Boil the Pasta Sheets

• Fill a large pot with six cups of water, one tbsp of salt and one tbsp of vegetable oil.
• Bring the water to a boiling point over high heat.
• Add pasta sheets to the boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is tender yet firm or according to the instructions on the package.
• Once cooked, strain the pasta sheets over a colander and rinse them with cold water to prevent them from sticking. Set them aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Meat Sauce

• In a large pan or saucepan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until it is brown and fully cooked.
• Add onion, garlic, black pepper, and salt. Stir the mixture until the onion is translucent.
• Pour the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, and oregano into the mixture. Simmer the mixture for 20-25 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors develop.
• Once the meat sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Cheese Sauce

• In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, parsley, basil, egg, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until it becomes smooth.
• Once the cheese sauce is prepared, set it aside.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Take a large baking dish and cover the bottom with a thin layer of meat sauce.
• Place the lasagna sheets on top of the meat sauce to cover the bottom of the baking dish.
• Spread one-third of the cheese sauce over the lasagna sheets.
• Spoon one-third of the meat sauce over the cheese sauce.
• Add another layer of lasagna sheets, repeating the process twice, so that you have three layers of pasta sheets, cheese sauce, and meat sauce.
• Cover the top layer of the lasagna with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle grated mozzarella cheese on top.
• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake the lasagna for an additional 30 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
• Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

This recipe is a classic lasagna that is sure to please anyone who loves Italian cuisine. The pasta sheets, meat sauce, and cheese sauce are layered to create a delicious and savory dish that will melt in your mouth. You can adjust the spice level in the recipe to your liking, and it can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Serve the lasagna with garlic bread and a fresh salad for an ultimate Italian dinner experience.