Homemade Lasagna

This classic Homemade Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners and special gatherings. Layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey melted mozzarella, it’s a delicious dish that everyone will love. Follow this detailed recipe to create a lasagna that’s bursting with flavor and sure to impress.

Ingredients (12 servings):

• For the Meat Sauce:
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound Italian sausage
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6.5-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• For the Lasagna:
• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:

• Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened.
• Add the ground beef and Italian sausage, cooking until well browned. Drain any excess fat.
• Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Add 1/2 cup of water if the sauce is too thick.
• Season with Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and chopped basil. Simmer the sauce, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

1. Cook the Noodles:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking.

1. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the egg, remaining 2 tablespoons of parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

1. Assemble the Lasagna:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
• Arrange 6 lasagna noodles lengthwise over the meat sauce.
• Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
• Top with one-third of the grated mozzarella cheese.
• Spoon another 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce over the mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese.
• Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
• Cover with foil to prevent sticking. To avoid the foil touching the cheese, either spray it with cooking spray or ensure it’s tented above the lasagna.

1. Bake the Lasagna:

• Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbly.
• Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.

Tips for the Perfect Lasagna:

• Meat Sauce: Simmering the sauce for a longer period allows the flavors to meld beautifully. If you’re short on time, you can simmer for at least 30 minutes.
• Noodles: Rinsing the noodles with cold water after cooking helps prevent them from sticking together.
• Cheese Mixture: Make sure the ricotta mixture is well-blended to ensure a smooth and creamy texture in the lasagna.
• Layering: Be consistent with your layers to ensure even distribution of ingredients and flavors.
• Resting: Letting the lasagna rest before serving helps it hold its shape when cut.

This Homemade Lasagna is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers throughout the week. Enjoy every comforting bite!