Italian > Lasagna

Easy Lasagna Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (24 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (8 ounces) lasagna noodles
- 1 container (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Special equipment needed:
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- Large pot for boiling noodles
- Skillet for cooking ground beef

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is no longer pink; drain.

3. Stir in spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain.

5. In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.

6. Spread 1 cup meat sauce in an ungreased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer with three noodles, 1-1/2 cups meat sauce, and 1 cup cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice.

7. Top with remaining meat sauce and mozzarella cheese.

8. Cover and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake 25 minutes longer or until bubbly.


- Time:
Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 50 minutes
Temperature:
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
Serving size:
- This recipe serves 8 people.

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 440
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
- Sodium: 1050mg
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 30g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- Ground beef can be substituted with ground turkey or ground chicken.
- Ricotta cheese can be substituted with cottage cheese.

Variations:
- Add chopped spinach or mushrooms to the meat sauce for added nutrition and flavor.
- Use a combination of different cheeses, such as fontina or provolone, in place of the mozzarella cheese.

Tips and tricks:
- To prevent the lasagna from sticking to the baking dish, lightly grease the dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Let the lasagna cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow it to set and make it easier to cut.

Storage instructions:
- Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating instructions:
- To reheat, cover the lasagna with foil and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the lasagna on a large platter and garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Garnishes:
- Fresh basil leaves

Pairings:
- Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.

Suggested side dishes:
- Caesar salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic bread

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the lasagna is too dry, add a little more spaghetti sauce or diced tomatoes to the meat sauce.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to cook the ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F to ensure it is fully cooked.

Food history:
- Lasagna is a traditional Italian dish that dates back to the Middle Ages.

Flavor profiles:
- Savory, cheesy, and tomato-based.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve hot and enjoy!

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Region: Italian

Taste: Savory, Rich, Meaty, Cheesy, Tomato, Comforting, Tomato-Y