Recipe: Classic Lasagna

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Classic Italian-American Lasagna. Layers of tender pasta, rich marinara sauce, perfectly seasoned ground beef, and a blend of creamy ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses come together to create the perfect balance of flavors. Baked to golden perfection, this hearty dish is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners, special occasions, or a cozy meal at home. Whether you're a lasagna lover or new to the dish, this timeless recipe offers the ultimate taste of comfort.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lasagna noodles, cooked according to package instructions

• Olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 lbs ground beef

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp dried oregano

• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 - 32 ounce jar marinara sauce (Rao’s or Cucina Antica are my favorites)

• 1½ cup grated parmesan cheese

• 16 oz ricotta cheese

• 1 large egg

• 16 oz grated mozzarella

• Fresh basil

• Salt and pepper to season

Method:

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan or pot over medium-high heat. Stir in the onions, and garlic with a pinch big of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, stirring often, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add in the ground beef. Cook until browned, stirring and breaking apart the meat, about 5 to 6 minutes. Once browned, stir in the tomato paste, 1 tsp dried basil, dried oregano and pepper flakes. Add in the marinara sauce. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Bring to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes.

In a bowl, stir together the ricotta cheese, 1 cup parmesan and 1 tsp dried basil. Season with a pinch of salt and taste for seasoning. Add in the egg and stir until well combined.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place a few spoonfuls of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer one row of lasagna noodles in a single layer. Spread some of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles (about 1/4 of the mix) using your spoon to spread it out. Spoon some of the meat sauce on top of the ricotta and spread to the edges. Sprinkle on a few handfuls of the grated mozzarella cheese. Add another layer of the lasagna noodles.

Repeat what you just did. Add a quarter of the ricotta mixture, the meat sauce, then a sprinkle of cheese. Repeat until all the ingredients have been used. There should be 4 or 5 layers of lasagna depending on your baking dish size.

For the final layer, add the meat sauce. Top with any remaining grated mozzarella and parmesan. Bake the lasagna for 35 to 40 minutes until bubbly and slightly browned on top. Once finished, let it set up for another 30 minutes to allow for cleaner slices. Top with fresh basil for serving.

Notes:

• Freezer friendly: allow the lasagna to fully cool and place in the fridge overnight. Then slice into desired portion sizes, place in containers or vacuum sealed bags and freeze.

• Alternatives: use ground chicken or turkey for lighter versions or mushrooms for a vegetarian version.