Roll up your sleeves and grab that apron and make a lasagna that's truly worth the effort. This is not just any lasagna; It's the perfect labor of love featuring layers upon layers of homemade bolognese and cheese, all nestled within a sheet of tender pasta that you don't have to boil. Bonus, it will smell amazing in your house for hours! This is a dish that will have the whole family buzzing with anticipation from the moment the sausage hits the pan.
Craving for flavor, but need your fix fast? Check us out Lasagna Soup or our viral lasagna stuffed chicken breast! For a lighter option, go noodle-free with Zucchini lasagna!
Why you'll love this recipe
- A Decadent Bolognese Sauce Made from scratch brings out the best tomato flavor.
- Ricotta cheese Used over traditional béchamel to add a creamy texture that maintains the same classic flavor.
- may be ready ahead Time for minimal day effort.
- We use a Special Pasta Hack Which gives you the best pasta texture without the added hassle of boiling.
This is the lasagna that people write home! It combines all the things we love in a good pasta dish: noodles, cheese, fresh herbs and a delicious meat sauce. If you've never made lasagna before or can't find a good recipe, you've come to the right place. Invite a friend because you don't want to keep this dish to yourself!
Material notes
- Sweet Italian Sausage: Spicy sausage can be substituted to add a milder kick, ground chicken sausage or plant-based ground sausage options.
- Beef on the bottom: Ground chicken, ground lamb, or a plant-based ground meat substitute can also be used.
- White wine: Red wine or additional beef broth may be used.
- Ricotta Cheese: Use whole milk ricotta cheese in this recipe for best results. Cottage cheese can be substituted in the same amount.
- Shredded Mozzarella: We like to get our mozzarella cut at the deli counter of our grocery store. (You want the slices to be pretty thin, 24 slices is the ideal amount and should equal about a pound.)
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: Do not use canned goods! It doesn't melt like real, freshly grated parmesan cheese.
- Sugar: Add to balance the acidity of the tomatoes. Use 1 cup finely chopped carrots as a substitute. Add carrots to fry with onions.
- Tomato paste: This recipe uses two cans of tomato paste. It may seem like a lot, but tomato paste has a super concentrated tomato flavor. By adding so much, we were able to get a deep tomato flavor without adding too much liquid to the sauce.
- Fennel seeds: A common flavoring used in Italian-style sausages. Extra fennel seeds enhance that meaty flavor from the sausage.
Can hack tomato paste
Canned tomato paste is the best value, but can be annoying to use. If you open a can of tomato paste from both ends, you can use a lid to push the paste to the other side of the can, much easier than scraping it with a spoon!
Lasagna Pasta Shortcut
Boiling lasagna pasta sheets is an extra step we all want to avoid. No boiling lasagna pasta sheets, in our opinion, have an unpleasant texture and often turn out wet. Here's a hack to avoid boiling and make perfect pasta every time: All you have to do is place regular lasagna pasta sheets in a container like a 9 x 13 pan and pour hot water over it. Let them soak for 30 minutes and they will be tender enough to use in recipes. Don't worry, they will finish cooking in the oven.
Serving advice
To turn your lasagna into a complete and satisfying meal, consider these classic pairings:
- Garlic Bread: Serve your lasagna with warm, buttered garlic bread. The softness of the bread complements the soft layer of the lasagna and is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce on the plate.
- Fresh Salad: Balance the richness of the lasagna with a light, fresh salad. A simple mixed greens salad or a classic Caesar salad adds a crisp, fresh element to your meal, providing a contrast in flavor and texture.
- Tiramisu: End your meal with a serving of tiramisu. This classic Italian dessert, with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cheese, provides a sweet and delightful ending to your dining experience.
problem solving
- Soji Noodles: If your noodles seem too soft or the lasagna is too watery, increase the baking time slightly to help evaporate some of the excess moisture.
- Very dry: If the lasagna looks dry or the edges are too crisp, cover with aluminum foil while baking to retain moisture. You can add a little more sauce on top before returning it to the oven for a few minutes.
- Burnt Cheese: If the cheese on top begins to burn, place a piece of aluminum foil over the lasagna for the remainder of the baking time.
- Not heating through: If the center is not hot after the recommended baking time, cover with foil and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes. Check the temperature of the center with a food thermometer to make sure it reaches 165°F.
- Sliding off layers: If the layers move while cutting, let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes after baking. This resting time allows it to set and makes it easier to cut.
Please direct forward
- Combine: Prepare but do not bake your lasagna. Make sure to prevent the ingredients from getting cold.
- wrap: Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Refrigerate for up to 48 hours or freeze for longer storage.
- Bake: Remove wrap and bake as directed, adding extra time if chilled or frozen.
Storage and reheating instructions
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in oven or microwave until hot.
Freeze instructions
- To freeze: Let the lasagna cool to room temperature to avoid getting soggy. Cover well to prevent freezer burn from wind and freeze for up to 1 month.
- For the unbaked lasagna: Combine, skip baking, cover in a freezer-safe dish and freeze.
Melting and reheating
- melting: Defrost in refrigerator for at least 24 hours.
- To reheat baked goods: Remove the wrap, cover with foil, bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbly.
- Baking Baking: Bake at 375°F for 60 minutes, then uncover and bake until golden.
Try these lasagna recipes for a fun twist on the dish!
Watch the video below Where Rachel walks you through each step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we've always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes YouTube, Facebook Watch, or us facebook pageOr here on our website with their respective recipes.
