Okay, so I just whipped up this lasagna, and OMG, it’s like comfort food heaven with the perfect blend of beef, sausage, and Italian herbs. Honestly, the slow-simmered sauce makes this dish totally worth the wait, and my kitchen smells like an Italian dream! 🍝✨
I adore making a classic lasagna with rich, satisfying layers of flavor. My recipe is a blend of delicious ground beef and sweet Italian sausage, heightened by aromatic onion and garlic.
The robust tomatoes, a pinch of sugar, and a smidgen of basil offer a delightful balance in a dish that seems to be a meal all by itself.
Classic Lasagna Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef: Offers rich protein content, adding hearty flavor and depth.
- Italian Sausage: Infuses a savory kick with spices, enhancing the dish’s complexity.
- Onion: Provides aromatic sweetness, balancing the savory and acidic elements.
- Garlic: Delivers a bold, pungent aroma, vital for classic Italian taste.
- Crushed Tomatoes: Rich in vitamins, they contribute a fresh, tangy base.
- Tomato Paste: Intensifies the sauce’s depth with concentrated tomato flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: Smooth texture and acidity, melds ingredients together.
Classic Lasagna Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5-ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
How to Make this Classic Lasagna Recipe
1. In a big skillet on medium heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of Italian sausage along with 1 chopped onion until the meat is cooked through, and the onion is tender and translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 additional minute. Drain off the excess grease.
2. Incorporate 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 2 (6-ounce) cans of tomato paste, 2 (
6.5-ounce) cans of canned tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of water into the meat mixture.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of white sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried basil to the mixture. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Stir it occasionally, and continue to season until it’s just right.
4. Set your oven to a temperature of 375°F (190°C).
5. Layer the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of the meat sauce.
6. Place a row of uncooked lasagna pasta over the sauce.
7. Lay a layer of the meat sauce over the raw pasta, making sure they are totally bathed in it.
8. Layer the noodles and sauce in a dish until all the ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce. Place in the oven.
9. To prevent sticking, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
10. Take away the foil and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!Classic Lasagna Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Large skillet
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Garlic press (optional)
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
8. Can opener
9. 9×13-inch baking dish
10. Aluminum foil
11. Oven mitts
12. Colander (for draining grease, if needed)FAQ
- What type of meat can I substitute for Italian sausage?Substituting Italian sausage for ground turkey or chicken makes this a lighter dish, with no real sacrifice in flavor.
- Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?Certainly, the lasagna may be put together as much as a day in advance and kept in the refrigerator. When you take it out and put it in the oven, let it bake for a good long while to make sure it’s hot all the way through.
- Is there a vegetarian alternative to this recipe?Certainly! Just leave out the meat and include more veggies, like mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach.
- Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned?Absolutely, you can opt for fresh tomatoes. However, to attain a comparable consistency, you must take the steps to blanch, peel, and then reduce them.
- How do I prevent the noodles from becoming too soggy?Utilize no-boil noodles, or ensure that you slightly undercook the standard ones, if boiling first.
- What cheese is best for lasagna?A classic lasagna derives its best flavor and texture from a blend of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- Can I freeze cooked lasagna?Indeed, you can freeze cooked lasagna. Allow it to cool all the way down, then wrap it up real snug with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and stash it in the freezer for as long as three months.
Classic Lasagna Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Substitute in recipes that call for ground beef with turkey or chicken, ground fine. For a lighter version, use ground turkey or ground chicken.
Turkey sausage or a meatless sausage gives a new flavor to Italian sausage.
Chopped onion: Replace with shallots or leeks for a mild taste.
Minced garlic: Substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic, using about 1/8 teaspoon for each clove.
Canned tomato paste
Substitute: Equal amount of pureed sun-dried tomatoes
Reason: For a richer taste.Pro Tips
1. Sauce Texture While simmering the sauce, periodically taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional herbs like oregano for more depth. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more water; if too thin, let it simmer uncovered to thicken.
2. Enhance Flavor For added richness, incorporate a splash of red wine into the sauce after draining the meat and before adding the tomatoes. Allow it to reduce slightly before proceeding with the rest of the ingredients.
3. Cheese Layer Consider adding layers of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese between the pasta layers for a more traditional lasagna. Mix the ricotta with an egg and some freshly chopped parsley for added flavor.
4. Noodle Preparation If you prefer softer noodles, parboil the lasagna sheets in salted water for a few minutes until they are pliable before layering them in the dish. This step ensures the noodles cook evenly and absorb the sauce better.
5. Resting Time After baking, let the lasagna rest for at least 15 to 20 minutes. This resting period allows the layers to set and makes slicing easier, preventing the layers from sliding apart when serving.
Classic Lasagna Recipe
My favorite Classic Lasagna Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Large skillet
2. Wooden spoon or spatula
3. Chef’s knife
4. Cutting board
5. Garlic press (optional)
6. Measuring cups
7. Measuring spoons
8. Can opener
9. 9×13-inch baking dish
10. Aluminum foil
11. Oven mitts
12. Colander (for draining grease, if needed)Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (6-ounce) cans tomato paste
- 2 (6.5-ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
Instructions:
1. In a big skillet on medium heat, brown 1 pound of ground beef and 1 pound of Italian sausage along with 1 chopped onion until the meat is cooked through, and the onion is tender and translucent. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 additional minute. Drain off the excess grease.
2. Incorporate 1 (28-ounce) can of crushed tomatoes, 2 (6-ounce) cans of tomato paste, 2 (
6.5-ounce) cans of canned tomato sauce, and 1/2 cup of water into the meat mixture.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of white sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried basil to the mixture. Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Stir it occasionally, and continue to season until it’s just right.
4. Set your oven to a temperature of 375°F (190°C).
5. Layer the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of the meat sauce.
6. Place a row of uncooked lasagna pasta over the sauce.
7. Lay a layer of the meat sauce over the raw pasta, making sure they are totally bathed in it.
8. Layer the noodles and sauce in a dish until all the ingredients are used, ending with a layer of sauce. Place in the oven.
9. To prevent sticking, cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
10. Take away the foil and bake for another 25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Allow the lasagna to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
