Prepare to embark on a culinary journey with our Classic Lasagna recipe. This iconic dish is a celebration of layered perfection, featuring rich whole milk ricotta, flavorful meat sauce, and a decadent cheese mixture. Every bite is a symphony of textures and tastes that will transport you to the heart of Italian comfort food. Join us in creating a family favorite that promises to be the star of your table.
In our home, Classic Lasagna is more than just a recipe; it’s a tradition that has woven itself into the fabric of our family gatherings. I vividly remember the first time I made it for my husband—a culinary adventure that turned into a delightful tradition. The rhythmic process of layering lasagna noodles, crafting the perfect meat sauce, and blending the cheese mixture has become a bonding experience for our little family. Now, each time we indulge in this dish, we’re not just savoring flavors but creating cherished memories around the dinner table.
Why This Classic Lasagna:
- Meticulously Crafted Meat Sauce: A harmonious blend of lean ground beef and Italian sausage, simmered to perfection with a medley of herbs and spices, ensures a robust and flavorful meat sauce.
- Decadent Cheese Mixture: Our cheese mixture, featuring strained ricotta, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan, is elevated with beaten eggs and fresh parsley, creating a creamy layer that binds the flavors together.
- Unique Herbal Twist: Chopped fresh mint introduces a subtle, refreshing twist to the recipe, enhancing the overall flavor profile with a touch of sophistication.
- Layered Perfection: Precisely layering lasagna noodles, fresh mozzarella slices, and generous amounts of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan results in a visually stunning dish that’s as delightful to the eyes as it is to the palate.
Ingredients:
- For the Meat Sauce:
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 tbsp chopped garlic
- 1 lb lean ground beef (90/10)
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage meat (hot or sweet)
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dry oregano
- 2 tbsp dry basil or 4 tbsp chopped fresh basil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp chopped fresh mint
- For the Cheese Mixture:
- 2 pounds whole milk ricotta cheese (strained)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley
- Other Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (see recipe here)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into 12 slices
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 dry lasagna noodles (cooked slightly underdone)
Directions:
- Line a strainer with cheesecloth and strain the ricotta to remove excess liquid.
- Cook lasagna noodles slightly underdone. Rinse and cool, keeping them moist.
- Prepare meat sauce by cooking onions, garlic, beef, and sausage. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, and mint. Simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix strained ricotta, shredded mozzarella, beaten eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 9x13x3 glass baking dish, ladle 1 cup of tomato sauce. Arrange four lasagna noodles, then layer with one-third each of the cheese mixture, meat mixture, and half of the fresh mozzarella.
- Repeat layering with noodles, cheese mixture, meat mixture, and remaining fresh mozzarella. Top with four more noodles, remaining cheese mixture, remaining meat mixture, and 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella.
- Finish with four noodles, 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce, 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella, and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan.
- Cover with parchment paper and foil. Place on a rack in the oven on a foiled sheet pan. Bake covered for one hour, then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Let rest for 15-30 minutes before cutting into 12 pieces. Enjoy the layers of flavor!
Notes: For a time-saving tip, you can prepare the meat sauce and cheese mixture ahead of time, assembling the lasagna when ready to bake. Experiment with different herbs in the cheese mixture for a personalized touch. Consider using no-boil lasagna noodles for a quicker preparation.
