cheesy lasagna

Cheesy lasagna is a comforting and delicious dish that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions. This recipe features layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, gooey mozzarella, and tender lasagna noodles. Here’s how to make it:

Cheesy Lasagna

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 pound ground beef (or a mix of beef and Italian sausage)
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
• 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Mixture:

• 15 ounces ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried parsley)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

For Assembling:

• 12 lasagna noodles
• 16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
• Additional grated Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
   • In a large skillet or saucepan, cook the ground beef (or beef and sausage mix) over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
   • Add the chopped onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until the onion is translucent.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Mix well.
   • Add the sugar (if using), basil, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.
2. Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
   • In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well blended.
3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles:
   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay the noodles flat on a sheet of parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking.
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Place 4 lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping slightly if needed.
   • Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle 1/3 of the shredded mozzarella over the ricotta mixture.
   • Pour 1 1/2 cups of the meat sauce over the cheese layer.
   • Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, meat sauce) two more times, ending with the remaining meat sauce on top.
   • Sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer of sauce.
5. Bake the Lasagna:
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the cheese (you can use toothpicks to keep it elevated if needed).
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and lightly browned.
6. Rest and Serve:
   • Allow the lasagna to rest for about 10-15 minutes before cutting into squares and serving. This helps the layers set and makes it easier to serve.

Tips:

• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. If baking from the refrigerator, you might need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time.
• Freezing: Lasagna freezes well. You can freeze the entire assembled dish before baking or freeze individual portions after baking. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven.
• Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with a variety of sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach.

Enjoy your cheesy lasagna, a classic and comforting dish that’s sure to please!