Classico lasagna

Classico lasagna My favorite comfort food is this 7-LAYER classico lasagna dish, which is really simple and incredibly delicious. Not to mention the thick noodles and rich tomato sauce, I’m craving that gooey ricotta cheese combo, especially as fall approaches. You must have a go-to classic lasagna recipe!Classico lasagna

The term “lasagne” has been used for hundreds of years to describe a particular kind of noodle—a long, thin, and wide noodle. It was created in Italy, and the recipe for baked lasagna varies depending on where you live. Depending on the variation, it can contain cheeses, meatballs, ground beef or pork, hard-boiled eggs, meat sauce prepared with Italian sausage, and garden vegetables. The traditional lasagna recipe eventually made its way to the US, where it is essentially found in two Italian variations: a red sauce and a béchamel sauce (white sauce). The bechamel sauce usually contains vegetables and no meat, while the red sauce variant usually contains meat or can be meatless.Classico lasagna

Is this recipe easy to make?

This meat-based classic lasagna recipe is incredibly simple to prepare. Even a chopping board is not necessary. You really only need to combine the ingredients and let your oven do the rest; practically everything is ready already. I used one of my favorite marinara sauces from the grocery store and normal lasagna noodles. Although they do provide lasagna noodles that don’t require precooking, I haven’t had a positive experience with them. Making a tomato sauce like this low-sodium marinara to use as my sauce base would be my dream come true, but I’m a busy man with two kids and a wife who constantly hogs the kitchen.grumbling. I wouldn’t alter it in any way.Classico lasagna

Top Tips

• If you are not using a non-stick baking dish, spray cooking spray on it. I have a simple glass dish that I don’t know where it originated from. It’s simply one of those items that has been gathered throughout time.
• Using an oven-safe thermometer to make sure the temperature you are setting is the same as the oven’s internal temperature will affect how long baking takes.Classico lasagna

Additional Notes

• There will be leftover noodles; they will likely total around 1½ pounds, but some may break or cling to one another while cooking. I enjoy eating leftovers simply with butter and salt, or if I have time, I’ll create this recipe for leftover lasagna soup.Classico lasagna
• I put 36 ounces for the quantity since I purchased a 24-ounce jar of sauce, but it wasn’t enough, so I had to use what I already had.
• To have extra, you know, double “sagna,” I also purchased the 32-ounce jar of ricotta cheese!Classico lasagna

Equipment

1. 8″ x 11″ baking dish
2. Small or Medium bowl
3. Aluminum foil
4. Large Strainer
5. Spatula
6. Large pot

I layered uncooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of each size baking dish because I wasn’t sure if I should use a 13″ x 9″ or an 11″ x 8″ baking dish for this recipe.Classico lasagna

The lasagna noodles fit tightly in the 11″ x 8″ dish (right) and slightly looser in the 13″ x 9″ baking dish (left), as seen in the picture above. Remember that when the noodles are cooked, they will expand a little. Since the 11″ x 8″ pan was deeper and I don’t mind some lasagna noodles overlapping, I finally decided to use it.

Substitutions

• Compared to pre-shredded cheese, freshly grated cheese has a higher moisture content, tastes considerably creamier, and is also more affordable.
• If prepared in advance and frozen, bake, covered with foil, at 375 degrees F for 60 to 75 minutes, and then broil until the cheese melts
• Ricotta can be replaced 1:1 with cottage cheese, but please think again.

Variations

Margherita Lasagna: To keep the noodles from overcooking, use additional sauce on top and fresh mozzarella.

Ingredients for classico lasagna recipe

• Uncooked lasagna noodles – I used the standard
• Black Pepper
• Marinara sauce – To save time I got the bolognese sauce
• Salt
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive Oil
• Ricotta cheese – Whole milk ricotta cheese is my favorite
• Italian Seasoning
• Eggs
• Mozzarella – I like to get a block and grate it myself for super gooey and creamy melted cheese!

Instructions

For the whole recipe, refer to the recipe card located at the bottom of the post.

Set the oven’s temperature to 350 degrees F.

Pour two quarts of water into a big pot.

Lay out the lasagna sheets and cook the noodles as directed on the package, or until they are al dente.

After taking the lasagna noodles out of the boiling water, place them in a strainer and rinse them under cold water at the sink. By doing this, the cooking can be stopped and overdone noodles can be avoided.

Lightly coat the edges and bottom of an 8 x 11″ baking dish with cooking oil.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the egg, ricotta cheese, parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to make your ricotta mixture.

Using a spoon, evenly distribute approximately ¼ cup of pasta sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.

To start the first layer, cover the first layer of spaghetti with the cheese mixture using about a quarter cup of the ricotta mix.

Next, cover the cheese mixture with a half-cup of marinara sauce.

To completely adhere to the layer below, carefully press down on each of the following six layers.

Spread the sauce and mozzarella cheese on top of the final layer. Add Italian spice and parmesan cheese.

Put the baking dish in the oven for forty-five minutes after covering it with aluminum foil.

After taking the baked lasagna out of the oven, switch it off.

Preheat the oven to Hi Broil. Return to the oven on the third rack from the top and bake for another two to three minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown in spots.

What to serve this classico lasagna recipe with

Although lasagna is a rather filling meal, I prefer to add little plates of several lighter, smaller foods to have:

• Fresh Italian Bread with olive oil
• Salad
• Roasted Red Peppers
• Marinated Artichokes & Olives

Storage

• Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• For up to a month, freeze in plastic wrap or a freezer-safe container.

Not simply for special events, this classico lasagna recipe makes a fantastic homemade lasagna! One of the greatest lasagna recipes that is simple to prepare in advance is this one.