Contadina Classic Lasagna Recipes

CONTADINA® BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray; set aside. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat; cook onion and garlic 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add squash, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, rosemary, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 12 minutes or until squash is tender.
• Remove from heat. Lightly mash squash with a potato masher.
• Stir together ricotta, egg and 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese in a medium bowl; set aside.
• Layer 4 lasagna noodles, 1/3 sauce, 1/3 ricotta mixture and 1/3 mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat 2 more times ending with ricotta and mozzarella.
• Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil. Sprinkle with remaining 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 10 minutes or until cheese is lightly browned.
• Remove from oven. Let rest 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with additional chopped basil before serving, if desired.

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.

CLASSIC LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna noodles and olive oil; cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain.
• Cook the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium heat; drain. Stir in the mushrooms, garlic salt, oregano, thyme, basil, and tomato sauce. Season with salt and pepper; simmer 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.
• Ladle enough of the meat sauce into a 9x13 inch baking dish to cover the bottom in a thin layer. Form a layer atop the sauce with 3 of the lasagna noodles. Spread about 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles. Sprinkle about 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over the ricotta cheese mixture and then ladle about 1/3 of the meat sauce over the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layering twice more, topping with the remaining 1/4 pound of mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in preheated oven 90 minutes. Allow to sit 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

MUELLER'S CLASSIC LASAGNA

Steps:

• In a large, heavy pan, lightly brown beef and onion in oil. Add tomatoes (put through blender or cut with edge of spoon), tomato paste, water, parsley, salt, sugar, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano; simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook lasagne noodles as directed on box; drain. In a 13x9-inch baking pan, spread about 1 cup of sauce. Then alternate layers of lasagne noodles, sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan, ending with sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
• Bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes until lightly browned and bubbling. Allow to stand for 15 minutes; cut in squares to serve.
• This recipe is made available as a courtesy by Mueller's Pasta, a trademark of TreeHouse Foods Inc.