Lasagna with meat

Meat Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that's layered with rich meat sauce, creamy béchamel or ricotta, and gooey cheese. Here’s a traditional recipe for a hearty meat lasagna:

Ingredients:

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 1/2 lb (225 g) ground pork (optional, or use more beef)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (28 oz or 800 g) crushed tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Ricotta Mixture:

• 15 oz (425 g) ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or 2 tbsp dried parsley)

For Assembling:

• 12 lasagna noodles (regular or no-boil)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Meat Sauce:

   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
   • Add the ground beef (and pork if using). Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat.
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add the crushed tomatoes, red wine (if using), oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook uncovered for about 20-30 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.

2. Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:

   • In a bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, grated Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Mix well and set aside.

3. Cook the Lasagna Noodles:

   • If using regular lasagna noodles, cook them according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet to prevent sticking.

4. Assemble the Lasagna:

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
   • Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
   • Spread a portion of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of meat sauce, and a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella.
   • Repeat the layers (noodles, ricotta mixture, meat sauce, mozzarella) until you have used all ingredients, finishing with a final layer of meat sauce and a generous topping of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan.

5. Bake:

   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
   • Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until the top is bubbly and golden brown.

6. Let It Rest:

   • Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps it set and makes slicing easier.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Enjoy your delicious homemade meat lasagna!