Perfect Homemade Lasagna

Calling all lasagna lovers!! Weeknight lasagna night does not have to be complicated. And the best part is you can premake this and bake later! There are only a couple of ingredients that will truly elevate your lasagna to make it superb! 

When I thing of classic dinners, I think of lasagna. There is something about the savory beef filling and cheesy ricotta mixture that melts perfectly between layers of pasta. I have had a lot of lasagna throughout my life, and I do not think I ever disliked any of them. My recipe of lasagna focuses on the staple flavors of lasagna and works to perfect the balance of each layer.

For my meat mixture, the most important part is developing the flavor of the beef. I did this by using my celery, carrot, and onion mixture known as a mirepoix. You want to also add your garlic to this and let the flavors of the vegetables blend in. I tossed in some red wine for a little extra flavor. I added my meat, tomato paste, favorite marinara, and fresh herbs. You can turn down the heat and let this simmer for 20 minutes until the flavors are combined and the beef is cooked. While this is cooking, parboil your pasta, cooking it for about 1/2 the recommended cooking time. The pasta will finish cooking in the oven. In the mean time, we can create the delicious ricotta filling.

I used a pint of ricotta, but you can never have too much. In a large bowl, combine your cheeses, egg, parsley, and lemon. This is a simple filling, but adds the perfect creamy texture to the lasagna. When you layer your lasagna, always add a bit of the meat mix and sauce. This will keep the bottom layer of the pasta from sticking to the baking dish. I alternated between meat and cheese, but feel free to stack to your liking. Save some of the ricotta mix for the top. Lastly, top with more shredded mozzarella and bake for 45 minutes. I covered my lasagna and took the cover off for the last few minutes to brown the top layer of cheese,.

Perfect Homemade Lasagna

Calling all lasagna lovers!! Weeknight lasagna night does not have to be complicated. And the best part is you can premake this and bake later! There are only a couple of ingredients that will truly elevate your lasagna to make it superb!

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Ingredients

  

Ingredients:

• Ground beef
• Lasagna noodles
• 1 small Onion
• 2 stalks Celery
• 1 large carrot
• 3 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 cup favorite marinara
• 1/4 cup red wine
• Salt pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning
• Optional: fresh thyme bay leaves, Oregano

Cheese Filling

• 1 pint ricotta
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• Parsley
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 cup mozzarella

Instructions

 

• Dice your celery, onion, and carrots and sauté in a greased pan.
• When they become fragrant, add garlic and ground beef.
• Add your seasonings and red wine, tomato paste, and marinara.
• Add your fresh herbs and let simmer on low. In a separate bowl, add your cheese filling ingredients.
• Boil your lasagna noodles for half the recommended time.
• Layer the meat mixture first, then your fist layer of noodles.
• Switch off between meat and cheese and noodles.
• In between several layers add your shredded mozzarella.
• Once you add your final layer of noodles, top with any remaining cheese mix and shredded mozzarella.
• I covered mine in the oven and cooked at 375 for 45 minutes.
• You can remove the cover for the last 10 minutes of baking.
• Enjoy!