Asparagus Lasagna Giada De Laurentiis Recipes

CLASSIC ITALIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bechamel sauce:
• In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
• In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

ASPARAGUS LASAGNA - GIADA DE LAURENTIIS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes for dried pasta or 2 to 3 minutes for fresh pasta. Drain pasta.
• In a food processor combine the sun-dried tomatoes and basil. Pulse until the mixture is combined. Transfer to a small bowl. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Set aside.
• In a large skillet brown the pancetta until crisp. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion, and garlic and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Add asparagus and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the ricotta, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, sprinkle some of the sun-dried tomato mixture on the bottom of the casserole dish. Place some lasagna sheets, then half asparagus mixture. Next sprinkle some mozzarella cheese and some of the remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan. Sprinkle with cooked pancetta. Continue for 1 more layer. Top with lasagna sheets, some sun-dried tomato mixture, mozzarella, and Parmesan. Dot the top with butter. Bake until the ingredients are warm and the cheese is melted, about 25 minutes.

ASPARAGUS LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles and drain.
• Heat oven to 500°F.
• Cut off about 1" at the end of the asparagus stalks and discard.
• Coat the asparagus with olive oil and spread out in a single layer in a baking dish.
• Roast 5-10 minutes.
• Remove from oven, sprinkle with salt, cut into bite-size pieces, and let cool.
• Reduce oven to 400°F.
• In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add flour and stir for about 2-3 minutes.
• Combine water and broth; slowly add to flour-butter mixture, constantly stirring.
• Cook about 5 minutes.
• Add mozzarella and lemon zest, stirring until the mixture is smooth.
• Butter a 13 x 9 baking pan.
• Place a layer of noodles in the pan, then half the sauce, then half the asparagus pieces, then 1/2 cup parmesan.
• Repeat, then put on the top layer of noodles.
• In a small bowl combine cream and a dash of salt.
• Whip until soft peaks form then spoon over noodles.
• Sprinkle with remaining 2/3 cup parmesan cheese.
• Bake 30 minutes.

3-CHEESE ASPARAGUS LASAGNA

Steps:

• Bend asparagus spears gently to snap off tough end.
• Cut tender parts into 1" pieces.
• Wash under cold running water.
• Shake off excess water and place in microwaveable container.
• Microwave on HI for 3 minutes (alternately, cook in boiling water for 3 minutes).
• Drain and rinse under cold water, drain again.
• Set aside 1 1/2 cups asparagus tips.
• In saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
• Gradually whisk in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Whisk in milk and stirring constantly, cook for 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Remove from heat.
• Stir in cream cheese, lemon rind, lemon juice, salt, pepper and nutmeg until cheese is melted.
• Meanwhile, cook noodles in boiling water until tender (about 10 minutes).
• Place 3 noodles in a 13x9 baking dish.
• Spread with one cup sauce, then 1/4 of the asparagus (not including reserved tips), then 1/4 of the mozzarella.
• Repeat layers 3 more times then top with final layer of noodles and sauce.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes or until bubbling and golden.
• Sprinkle reserved asparagus tips over top.
• Bake for an additional 5 minutes.
• Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE, ARTICHOKES, AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Heat the oil that was reserved from the sun-dried tomatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add sausage and cook until browned; break up the meat as it cooks.
• When brown and cooked all over, transfer sausage to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Add artichokes, asparagus, and garlic to the skillet and saute over medium heat, until garlic is tender, about 2 minutes.
• Add the broth, wine, and sun-dried tomatoes. Boil over medium-high heat until sauce is slightly reduced, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Salt water and cook pasta according to package directions.
• Drain pasta.
• Add pasta, reserved sausage, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, basil, and parsley to the artichoke mixture.
• Toss everything together until sauce is nearly absorbed by the pasta.
• Stir in mozzarella cheese, if using.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with extra cheese to pass at table.

ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Snap or cut the dry stem ends off each asparagus and place on a heavy baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss. Roast until the asparagus is tender, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly and serve warm or at room temperature.