How To Make Homemade Lasagna From Scratch | The BEST Italian Christmas Lasagna Recipe

ricotta cheese

🥗Healthier: cottage cheese

💰Cheaper: cream cheese

Cottage cheese is lower in fat and calories, while cream cheese can provide a similar texture.

mozzarella cheese

🥗Healthier: part-skim mozzarella

💰Cheaper: provolone

Part-skim mozzarella reduces fat, while provolone is often less expensive.

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner, and ground pork can be more affordable.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Nutritional yeast is dairy-free, while grated pecorino is often cheaper.

Start by making the meat sauce.

Cook 1 pound of Italian sausage and 1 pound of ground beef, chopping and stirring for about 8-10 minutes until the meat is no longer pink.

Add in 1 large finely diced onion, 6 cloves of minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and black pepper, cooking for about 2-3 minutes.

Stir in 1.5 cans of tomato paste (6 oz each) to thicken the sauce and enhance flavor by sautéing it before adding liquid.

Add 1 can of crushed tomatoes (28 oz) and 1 can of tomato sauce, stirring well and increasing heat to bring to a simmer.

For spices, add 1/2 cup of fresh chopped parsley, 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons of oregano, and 1 teaspoon of fennel seed.

Add 1/2 cup of red wine for depth of flavor, stirring well and bringing to a low simmer, covering and cooking for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.

15 minutes before the sauce is done, add another teaspoon of Italian seasoning and a teaspoon of garlic powder for freshness.

Prepare the ricotta cheese mixture by combining 1 container of ricotta cheese (30 oz), 1/4 cup of grated Romano cheese, 1/2 cup of grated mozzarella cheese, 1 large egg, and a sprinkle of salt, mixing well and refrigerating until ready.

Par-cook the lasagna noodles for about 3 minutes to make them pliable, as they will finish cooking in the oven.

In a deep baking dish, add spoonfuls of the meat sauce to the bottom to prevent sticking.

Layer 6 sheets of lasagna noodles, half of the ricotta cheese mixture, a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese, and some mozzarella cheese.

Add more meat sauce, another layer of lasagna noodles, the second half of the ricotta cheese mixture, and more cheese.

Top with another layer of meat sauce and finish with a final layer of noodles and meat sauce.

Sprinkle with Romano cheese, cover with parchment paper and foil, and bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, uncover and top with more mozzarella cheese, baking for an additional 20-25 minutes.

Let the lasagna rest for a good 20 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

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