The BEST Way To Make Lasagna

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground chicken

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in fat.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella has less fat, while provolone is often cheaper.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast provides a cheesy flavor without dairy.

red wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: beef broth

Beef broth adds flavor without the cost of wine.

Begin by discussing the ingredients for the lasagna, emphasizing the importance of sauce.

Prepare the sauce by heating a 5-quart braiser over medium heat and adding olive oil.

Add 1 pound of ground pork and 1 pound of ground chuck to the heated oil, breaking it up for even cooking.

Cook the meat for about 3-4 minutes, then turn it over and cook for another 3-4 minutes until browned.

Season the meat with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and some black pepper, then remove it from the pot using a slotted spoon.

In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook on medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes until softened.

Once the onions are soft, add 5 cloves of minced garlic and cook for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant.

Add 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the onion and garlic mixture, allowing it to bloom for flavor.

Hand crush the 3 cans of plum tomatoes and add them to the pot, along with a little water to clean out the cans.

Stir in the cooked meat back into the pot and let the sauce simmer for a while.

While the sauce is simmering, prepare the ricotta mixture by combining 1 and 1/4 pounds of ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of parsley, 1/4 cup of basil, and 1 egg in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Boil the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.

Layer the lasagna by spreading some sauce on the bottom of a baking dish, followed by a layer of noodles, then the ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and more sauce.

Repeat the layering process until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of mozzarella on top.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the oven until the cheese is bubbly and golden, about 25-30 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and golden brown.

Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens