How to Make Lasagna Like an Italian | Northern vs. Southern Italian Lasagne Recipes

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese lowers fat content while maintaining creaminess.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground pork is often less expensive.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone cheese

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while provolone is usually cheaper.

Parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated Pecorino Romano

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while Pecorino is often more affordable.

Start by making the ragu, which will take at least three to four hours to be ready.

Prepare fresh egg pasta for the northern lasagna, incorporating spinach to create a green pasta.

Assemble the northern Bolognese style lasagna with layers of green pasta, ragu, and bechamel sauce.

For the southern lasagna, prepare a ragu a la napolitana using chunks of pork and beef instead of ground meat.

Cook the southern ragu with lard instead of olive oil for authenticity.

Add a piece of pork rind to the southern ragu, if available, for flavor.

Cook the southern ragu for at least six to seven hours, tasting for flavor development.

Assemble the southern lasagna using dry pasta, ragu, and layers of cheese.

Bake the assembled lasagna until heated through and bubbly.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens