How to make CLASSIC Lasagna

If you are tired of the taste of lasagna because the sauce comes from a jar, look no further. This is a home made sauce that is really worth the extra time and effort involved to make an outstanding dish of lasagna. WARNING: You will never want jarred sauce again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 15 oz. container of Ricotta cheese OR 16 oz. container of cottage cheese
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small can of mushrooms or you can use the stems & pieces (cheaper)
• 16 lasagna noodles, cooked for 8 minutes
• 12 oz. Mozzarella cheese, sliced
• FOR MEAT SAUCE:
• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 32 oz. (2-16 oz cans) tomatoes, crushed or whole
• 6 oz. can tomato paste
• 2 teasp. sugar
• 2 to 3 teasp. dried basil leaves
• 1 teasp. dried oregano leaves
• 1 1/2 teasp. salt
• pinch of black pepper (to taste)

1. To make meat sauce: Take a large pot such as a Dutch oven and heat the olive oil. Add the beef, onion, garlic & parsley. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until beef is brown. Put the tomatoes in a blender or food processor and chop for 45 seconds. Add to beef mixture. Stir in sugar, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

2. In the meantime you can be preparing the rest of the ingredients. Put the Ricotta cheese in a medium sized bowl. Add the egg and 3/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Mix well.

3. When the sauce has cooked for 45 minutes remove from heat and assemble all your ingredients together. Take a 13x9x2" roasting pan and spread 1/2 to 3/4 cups of the meat sauce in it. Take spoonfuls of the Ricotta cheese mixture and place around in the pan on top of the sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top of this. Place a layer of the Mozzarella cheese on top of this. Keep layering meat, cheese, noodles and end with sauce and cheese on top. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese and bake for 55 minutes at 350° or until top is slightly browned and bubbly.

4. Use thick mitts to remove from oven as the pan will be heavy and hot. Let sit for about 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the cheese can set. While you're waiting on it to set, put the oven on broil. Slice some bread, put butter, garlic powder, and parsley on it and broil it until slightly browned. Serve with lasagna.

Tips & Warnings

• French or Italian bread is great with this lasagna
• Prepare a fresh salad to go with your lasagna
• Since this makes a huge dish of lasagna, you could actually make it in 2 separate dishes and freeze one for later.
• If you do freeze one for later, make sure it is completely cooled before placing it in the freezer.
• Pan will be full and bubbly when coming out of the oven so be very careful removing it to not get burned.

[Susanh]

on 8/5/2008 Sounds delicious!

[grubbytron]

on 7/29/2008 I've been fortunate enough to enjoy this recipe many times. It's the best way to make lasagna.