Baked Lasagna Recipe Easy Italian Dinner

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.

LASAGNA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and spray a 9X13 pan with a non-stick cooking spray.
• Brown ground beef and onion until cooked. While the meat is cooking, boil the noodles according to package directions until al dente.
• Mix crushed tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in with the meat mixture..
• Reserve half of mozzarella cheese aside to sprinkle on the top of the casserole.
• Combine the rest of the mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, beaten eggs together in a large bowl.
• Then stir in the cooked pasta. Coat the pasta completely with the cheese mixture.
• Place half of the pasta on the bottom of the 9X13 pan. Then place half of the meat mixture on top of the pasta.
• Repeat the process until all of the pasta and meat mixture is layered in the pan. Top with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese.
• Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes (until bubbly). Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

EASY HOMEMADE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
• Brown beef, sausage, onion and garlic over medium high heat until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
• Stir in pasta sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning. Simmer 5 minutes.
• Make Cheese Mixture by combining 1 ½ cups mozzarella, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, ricotta, parsley, and egg.
• Add 1 cup meat sauce to a 9x13 pan. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Layer with ⅓ of the Cheese Mixture and 1 cup of meat sauce. Repeat twice more.Finish with 3 noodles topped with remaining sauce.
• Cover with foil and bake 45 minutes.
• Uncover, sprinkle with remaining cheese (2 ½ cups mozzarella cheese and ¼ cup parmesan), and bake an additional 15 minutes or until browned and bubbly. Broil 2-3 minutes if desired.
• Rest 10-15 minutes before cutting.

LASAGNA RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and grease a deep 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Place cottage cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup parmesan, Italian seasoning, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg, salt, pepper, and eggs into a food processor. Process until combined. It's okay if it's still a little chunky. Set aside.
• Spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• To assemble: repeat the below steps (step 5 - step 9) 3 times.
• Layer 4 noodles lengthwise - they will overlap slightly - that's ok.
• Spread with 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture.
• Top with a 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
• Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Once the layers are complete, top with remaining 1 cup mozzarella.
• Cover with foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes.
• Cool for 15 minutes before slicing and serving!

SIMPLE ITALIAN BAKED LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions or until tender but still firm.
• Drain, keep warm.
• Meanwhile, saute the ground beef, garlic and onion is a large heavy skillet or saucepan until beef is done.
• Add sauce, salt, and Italian seasoning and mix well.
• Simmer on low heat 12-15 minutes .
• In a separate bowl, combine eggs and ricotta cheese.
• Grease a 9" x 12" or larger, baking pan.
• Arrange a first layer of noodles so the ends hang over the sides of the pan.
• (The ends will be laid back-over the top for the final layer).
• Then add a layer of the cooked beef lasagna sauce, ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese.
• Add a second alternating layer of pasta, the meat sauce and cheese mixture.
• Repeat until pan is almost full then fold over the ends of the first layer of noodles and top with more lasagna sauce.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes , or till cheese is bubbly.
• Allow to set for 5-10 minutes before cutting.
• This Lasagna recipe can be modified to suit individual preferences. I have also made it using Italian sausage instead of beef, and I have added a can of chopped tomatoes to the sauce mixture with good results. Sometimes I mix in shredded parmesan cheese to the ricotta for an extra boost :).

EASY LASAGNA I

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large skillet, cook and stir ground beef until brown. Add mushrooms and onions; saute until onions are transparent. Stir in pasta sauce, and heat through.
• In a medium size bowl, combine cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and eggs.
• Spread a thin layer of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 13x9 inch pan. Layer with uncooked lasagna noodles, cheese mixture, mozzarella cheese, and meat sauce. Continue layering until all ingredients are used, reserving 1/2 cup mozzarella. Cover pan with aluminum foil.
• Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Uncover, and top with remaining half cup of mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

BAKED LASAGNA RECIPE--EASY ITALIAN DINNER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Brown ground beef, add sauce and heat until bubbling
• Prepare lasagna noodles as directed
• Mix Ricotta, most of the mozzarella and parmesan cheese with eggs and salt/pepper/Italian season (to taste)
• Spread ½ cup Prego Italian sauce in bottom of 8X8 pan and two disposable loaf pans
• Spread cheese mixture on cooked lasagna noodles and roll up.
• Place on top of sauce mixture until pan is filled
• Cover with sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese
• Bake for 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
• (Please note: If you are planning on freezing the loaf pans then assemble and cover with tin foil. Freeze before cooking. When ready to eat just defrost and cook for 20 minutes)
• Enjoy!

PREGO LASAGNA RECIPE (EASY DINNER IDEA)

Steps:

• Saute ground beef in a pan until it starts to brown. Season it with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the Prego Italian sauce. Add in Italian seasoning if you're using it.
• In a bowl, combine the ricotta, egg, and 1/2 cup of parmesan. Set it aside.
• In a casserole dish, assemble the lasagna. Layer the bottom with meat sauce. Top it with a single layer of lasagna noodles. Cover the noodles in the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle on a layer of mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat until the dish is full.
• Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese.
• Cover it with foil and bake it at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake it for 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
• Top with fresh basil (optional), then serve.

EASY ITALIAN SAUSAGE LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a skillet, crumble and cook sausage over medium heat until brown. Remove from heat and stir in pasta sauce and tomato sauce. In small bowl, combine ricotta cheese and Italian seasoning. Preheat oven to 375F. Spread 1 cup sauce into bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Top with 3 noodles. Cover noodles with 1/3 of ricotta cheese mixture, 1 cup of mozzarella and 1 cup sauce. Repeat layers two more times. Add last 3 noodles. Top lasagna with remaining sauce and with remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle Parmesan over mozzarella. Cover and bake 45 to 50 minutes or until noodles are tender. Uncover and bake an additional 5 minutes to melt cheese.