Lasagna Cooking Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Meat Sauce

Meat sauce simmering in a pot

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground meat, onion, and garlic. Cook until meat is browned and vegetables are softened. Drain any excess fat. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, water, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

✓ Completed!

Step 2: Prepare the Cheese Mixture

Ricotta cheese mixture in a bowl

While the sauce simmers, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.

✓ Completed!

Step 3: Assemble the Lasagna Layers

Assembling lasagna layers in a baking dish

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread a thin layer (about 1.5 cups) of meat sauce over the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce. Spread about 1 cup of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Top with another layer of meat sauce (about 1.5 cups) and then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers (noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella) two more times. For the final layer, place noodles, cover generously with the remaining meat sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

✓ Completed!

Step 4: Bake the Lasagna

Baked lasagna in the oven

Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil (you can spray the underside of the foil with cooking spray to prevent cheese from sticking). Bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the lasagna is bubbly, the noodles are tender, and the cheese on top is golden brown. If desired, you can broil for the last minute or two for extra browning, watching carefully to prevent burning.

✓ Completed!

Step 5: Rest Before Serving

Lasagna resting on a cooling rack

Once baked, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving. This crucial step allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut neat portions and preventing it from falling apart. Enjoy your delicious homemade lasagna!

✓ Completed!

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Using oven-ready (no-boil) lasagna noodles saves significant time and effort. The key to success is ensuring your meat sauce and cheese mixture are moist enough to properly hydrate the noodles during baking. If they seem too thick, add a little extra water or broth to your sauce.

Lasagna is a fantastic make-ahead meal! You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it overnight (up to 2 days). When ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time. You can also freeze assembled, unbaked lasagna for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking.

For a delicious vegetarian lasagna, simply omit the ground meat. Instead, sauté a mix of finely chopped mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, and bell peppers with the onion and garlic. Incorporate these vegetables into your tomato sauce for a hearty and flavorful meat-free alternative.

Cooking Timer

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