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| Lasagna Recipe @ The Dish Diary |
Lasagna is a popular Italian dish that consists of layers of wide, flat pasta sheets, meat or vegetable-based sauce, and cheese. The pasta is usually boiled first, then layered with the sauce and cheese mixture, and baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
There are many variations of lasagna, but the
most traditional version includes a meat-based sauce made with ground beef,
tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs like basil and oregano, along with a
mixture of ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. However,
there are also vegetarian and vegan versions that use vegetables, tofu, or
plant-based substitutes for the meat and cheese.
Lasagna is a hearty
and comforting dish that is often served at family gatherings and special
occasions, but it can also be enjoyed as a weeknight dinner. It is a versatile
dish that can be customized to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.
Ingredients:
· 12 lasagna noodles
· 1 pound ground beef or ground Italian sausage
· 1 large onion, chopped
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
· 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
· 1/2 cup water
· 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
· 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
· 1 (15-ounce) container ricotta cheese
· 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
· 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 egg
· 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
· Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit
(190 degrees Celsius).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to package
instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or
Italian sausage over medium-high heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
4. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the
skillet and cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
5. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, water,
parsley, basil, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and bring the
mixture to a simmer.
6. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce
simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta
cheese, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese,
egg, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper.
8. Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the
bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
9. Place 3 lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
10. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
11. Repeat the layers of meat sauce, noodles, and cheese mixture
until all of the ingredients are used, ending with a layer of meat sauce on
top.
12. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
over the top of the lasagna.
13. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25
minutes.
14. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or
until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
15. Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before slicing and
serving.
