LASAGNA WITH GARLIC BREAD

Lasagna with garlic bread is a classic and delicious Italian-American meal. Here’s a simple recipe for making this comforting dish:

Ingredients for Lasagna:

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 1 pound ground beef (or use ground turkey or Italian sausage)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 (6-ounce) cans of tomato paste
• 2 (6.5-ounce) cans of canned tomato sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Ingredients for Garlic Bread:

• 1 loaf of Italian bread or baguette
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. Drain and set them aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent.
4. Add the ground beef (or your choice of meat) to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugar, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and the egg.
7. To assemble the lasagna, spread a small amount of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place three lasagna noodles on top. Add a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of mozzarella cheese on top.
8. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
9. While the lasagna is baking, prepare the garlic bread. Slice the bread in half lengthwise.
10. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Spread this garlic butter mixture evenly over the cut sides of the bread.
11. Place the garlic bread on a baking sheet and bake in the oven with the lasagna for about 10-15 minutes, or until it’s toasted and fragrant.
12. Once the lasagna is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve with the garlic bread on the side.

Enjoy your homemade lasagna with garlic bread! It’s a hearty and satisfying meal that’s sure to please your family and friends.