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Homemade Lasagna

Ultimate Comfort: Homemade Lasagna for Heartwarming Dinners

This Homemade Lasagna is a heartwarming dinner that combines rich meat sauce, creamy cheeses, and layers of pasta for a satisfying meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings: 8 slices
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Meat Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Can substitute with vegetable oil.
  • 1 medium Yellow Onion Use white onion if needed.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is preferred; garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
  • 1 pound Ground Beef (93/7) Can replace with ground turkey or sausage.
  • 14.5 ounces Diced Tomatoes Use fresh tomatoes if desired.
  • 15 ounces Tomato Sauce Homemade pureed tomatoes are a good alternative.
  • 1 cup Water Can use beef or chicken broth for extra flavor.
  • 2 leaves Bay Leaves Remove before serving, as they are not edible.
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Basil Fresh basil can be used for more potent flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar Honey or agave syrup can be used.
  • 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning Make your own blend with oregano, thyme, and rosemary if desired.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste.
For the Cheese Layer
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese Substitute with provolone for a different flavor.
  • 4 ounces Mozzarella Cheese For topping.
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Pecorino Romano can be substituted.
  • 2 cups Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese Cottage cheese can be a lighter alternative, but may change texture.
  • 1 tablespoon Dried Parsley Omit if unavailable, as it’s not critical.
For the Pasta
  • 1 pound Lasagna Noodles Use no-boil noodles to save time.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • mixing bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Homemade Lasagna
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil until shimmering. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, then stir in minced garlic and ground beef, cooking until browned. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 1-2 hours.
  3. Combine ricotta cheese, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan in a mixing bowl. Add dried basil, a pinch of salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Mix thoroughly until blended.
  4. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add lasagna noodles and cook according to package instructions. Drain and cool in cold water.
  5. In a baking dish, spread ½ cup of meat sauce. Layer 3 noodles, half of the cheese mixture, then a layer of meat sauce. Repeat layers and finish with noodles, remaining sauce, and mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Cover the lasagna with greased aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  7. After 45 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  8. Let the lasagna rest for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 25gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 3mg

Notes

Allow your meat sauce to simmer for rich flavors, and let the lasagna cool before slicing for better layered presentation.

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