Easy Lasagna Recipe with Tips and Tricks
This easy Lasagna recipe is surely one of the best comfort foods in the world. It is full of flavour and very simple to make. This recipe uses a sauce made with meat, marinara, and seasonings. The noodles are layered with cheese for the creamiest taste.
This lasagna recipe requires some effort and patience, but it will be worth it. You can also reheat it to enjoy it later. It can be served with many side dishes to get the best flavours. However, some tips and tricks are key to making the best lasagna of your life.
Easy Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna is one of the best-known and oldest pasta shapes. It is usually ribbon or rectangular-shaped and thicker than tagliatelle pasta. Lasagna is made with dough made with eggs and flour. These noodles can also be made at home, but it needs a lot of patience. However, people prefer to buy these from the stores. Lasagna noodles are then boiled and placed in layers with flavourful sauce.
Ingredients to Make Easy Lasagna Recipe
This easy lasagna recipe requires simple and easy-to-find ingredients. Let’s see what you need to make this delicious recipe.
- Ground Meat. It’s better to use 90% lean ground meat. It is packed with flavour and not overly greasy. You can also use ground turkey (94% lean ground turkey).
- Lasagna Noodles. No-boil lasagna is perfect for this recipe. You don’t have to boil them, which helps save a lot of time. They taste like regular lasagna noodles. You can also use gluten-free lasagna if needed.
- Cheese. You’ll need a mix of Ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. Ricotta helps to add a creamy and rich taste. Mozzarella gives a stretchy and melty taste. Parmesan cheese helps to balance the flavour of the other two.
- Egg. Egg helps to bind the three cheeses together. It also helps them to stay together when baking this easy lasagna recipe.
- Marinara Sauce. A good marinara sauce adds flavour to this recipe. It also plays an important role in making this lasagna the best one.
- Parsley. Parsley helps to add freshness to this recipe. This not only makes the dish taste better but also helps in digestion.
- Water. Water helps to cook the lasagna noodles when baking. It eliminates the need to cook them beforehand. This can also save you 15-20 minutes of prepping time.
Measurements:
- Lean Ground Turkey or Beef: 1 Pound
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (divided): 2 ½ cups
- Grated Parmesan Cheese (divided): ½ cup
- Ricotta Cheese: 15 ounce
- Marinara Sauce: 26-ounce
- Egg (lightly beaten): 1 Large
- Fresh Parsley: ¼ cup
- Lasagna Noodles (uncooked): 12
- Water (1 cup)
Step-by-Step Method to Make This Easy Lasagna Recipe
Follow this full recipe to make the most delicious and flavourful lasagna ever.
- Prepare a 9×13″ baking tray with cooking spray and keep it aside. Heat over to 350°F.
- Place a large skillet on medium heat. Add the meat and cook until it’s perfectly browned.
- Now, take another bowl and add 1-1/4 cups ricotta, Mozzarella, and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Also, add the egg and parsley and mix well. Set aside the mixture.
- Once the meat is cooked well, drain the excess water.
- Add the meat back to the cooking pan and add marinara. Stir well.
- Now, add one cup of water to the empty jar of marinara sauce. Cover the lid and shake well. Add the mixed water to the meat and mix well.
- Spread one cup of the prepared meat sauce onto the bottom of the baking dish. Now top with layers of three lasagna noodles. Add 1 cup of meat sauce and 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture.
- Repeat the layers two times.
- Lastly, top with the remaining meat sauce, noodles, and ricotta cheese mixture. Add the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese on top of everything.
- Cover the tray with foil.
- Bake it for about 1 hour or until heated, and remove the foil after 45 minutes. Let the Lasagna stand for about 15 minutes before cutting it. The resting time will keep this dish from being too watery. If you want a more cleaner cut, then let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley, and it’s ready to serve.
What to Serve with Lasagna?
Are you thinking about what to serve with this comforting dish? These are some of the best side dishes to serve with lasagna, including:
- Garlic Bread.
- Oven-roasted Asparagus.
- Tomato, onion, and cucumber salad.
- Skillet-roasted carrots.
- Green Bean Almondine.
- Roasted Broccoli.
- Garlic Knots.
- Caesar Salad Bites.
How to Reheat and Store Lasagna?
Eating a leftover lasagna offers a delicious taste to our tastebuds. Reheat separate slices in the microwave. You can also reheat the whole casserole in the oven for 350°F until heated. Remember to cover the casserole with foil.
You can keep this lasagna in the fridge for 5 days in an airtight container. To freeze, wrap the lasagna in at least one layer of aluminium foil and one layer of storage wrap. You can freeze it upto three months. Thaw the dish overnight in the refrigerator and follow the reheating procedure.
Things to Remember
You can make this delicious and easy lasagna recipe by following these tips and tricks:
- Make Ahead: You can prepare this lasagna in advance and bake it when you’re ready to eat. The unbaked lasagna will stay fresh for about 24 hours in the refrigerator.
- Room Temperature Ricotta: It’s easier to stir ricotta with other cheese when it’s at room temperature. Let the ricotta cheese sit for about 30 minutes before preparing this dish.
- Freshly Grated Cheese: Try using freshly grated cheese instead of store-bought. It will give your recipe a nice creamy taste.
- Extra Flavours: You can add minced garlic to the meat mixture when it’s browning. It will enhance the flavour of this recipe.
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