Description
Dive into culinary bliss with World’s Best Lasagna, a mouthwatering Italian classic layered with rich beef ragù, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella. Hearty comfort awaits when you savor each perfectly balanced, cheesy bite of this irresistible pasta masterpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 0.5 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese for a lighter option)
- 1 egg
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (28 ounces) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounces) can tomato paste
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Additional Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles (boiled until al dente, or use oven-ready noodles)
Instructions
- Craft a robust meat sauce by browning ground beef and sausage in a skillet, eliminating excess fat. Transform the mixture with sautéed onions and garlic, then infuse with crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and aromatic Italian seasoning. Allow the sauce to develop deep flavors by simmering gently for half an hour, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Prepare a creamy ricotta blend by whisking ricotta cheese with a beaten egg, grated Parmesan, and subtle seasoning until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- If using traditional pasta, submerge lasagna noodles in rolling boiling water until reaching al dente texture. Carefully extract and arrange in a single layer on a clean baking sheet to prevent adherence, skipping this step for oven-ready varieties.
- Construct the lasagna by establishing a foundation of meat sauce in a spacious baking vessel. Layer noodles with slight overlap, creating a sturdy base. Distribute ricotta mixture evenly, followed by a generous blanket of mozzarella. Repeat these stratifications, culminating with a crowning layer of sauce and additional cheese.
- Shield the lasagna with aluminum foil and nestle into a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake initially for 25 minutes, then unveil and continue cooking until the surface transforms into a golden, bubbling masterpiece.
- Exercise patience by allowing the lasagna to settle for 10 minutes post-baking. This crucial resting period ensures clean, defined layers when slicing and serving.
Notes
- Control meat fat by choosing leaner ground beef or turkey for a healthier version, reducing overall calorie content without sacrificing flavor.
- Experiment with alternative cheese combinations like part-skim mozzarella or goat cheese to cater to different dietary preferences and reduce saturated fat.
- Enhance the ricotta mixture by adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to introduce extra aromatic dimensions and boost nutritional value.
- Prepare the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, creating a more complex and delicious final dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg