lasagna like no other!
I love pasta and lasagna and I have tried many, many ways to do lasagna that doesn't fall apart and captures those incredible Italian flavors. Here is my version that I think is the best, like NO OTHER!
Blue Ribbon Recipe
Once you taste this lasagna recipe, you'll want it no other way. Since there are a lot of steps, this is may not be a recipe a beginner cook wants to tackle. But, this is restaurant quality lasagna at home. The seasoning in the meat sauce is perfect. Using semi-fresh basil adds a special flavor to the sauce. We think the ricotta sauce layer is what makes the recipe. It's different than the traditional ricotta found in lasagna. Once the layers are combined and the lasagna is baked, it's filled with plenty of gooey cheese. Slight labor of love to make, but the final result is worth every dirty dish.
Ingredients
- MEAT SAUCE
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 large onion
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 cans canned, crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz each)
- 2 cans tomatoes, canned Italian-style and diced (14.5 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil (Garden Gourmet found in refrigerated section with fresh herbs)
- 1 tablespoon chopped Italian seasoning (Garden Gourmet)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- - salt and pepper, to taste
- RICOTTA SAUCE
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 2 pounds ricotta cheese
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- - salt/pepper to taste
- LASAGNA ASSEMBLY
- 1 pound lasagna noodles, cooked
- 2 pounds mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
How To Make lasagna like no other!
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Step 1In a large pot, brown ground beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add one tablespoon of granulated garlic. Drain meat if necessary. -
Step 2Add onions and chopped garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes.
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Step 3Add crushed and Italian-style tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix into the meat and onion mixture. Cook for a minute.
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Step 4Add basil, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir.
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Step 5At this point, you may need to add about 14 ounces of water. Also, you may want to add more sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Tomatoes will vary and more seasonings may be necessary. Let is simmer for about an hour while you prepare the other ingredients.
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Step 6For ricotta sauce, in a large pan, melt butter. Add flour. Make sure all the flour is absorbed into the butter.
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Step 7Cook for two minutes.
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Step 8Add milk and whisk together. Bring up to a low simmer.
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Step 9Add ricotta cheese and whisk together.
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Step 10Add garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk and bring up to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
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Step 11To assemble the lasagna, cook noodles to the point of being pliable yet firm.
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Step 12Lay noodles in a pan. You may have to cut to fit your pan. If so, alternate the end where you put cut noodles.
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Step 13Spoon ricotta cheese mixture over noodles and spread evenly.
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Step 14Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
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Step 15Then a little meat sauce. Repeat this step. I can usually fit three layers. Save a little meat sauce for the top.
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Step 16Top the lasagna with a layer of noodles.
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Step 17Then top the noodles with a little meat sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
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Step 18Bake at 350 for approximately one hour. I recommend placing a pan beneath your lasagna in case it bubbles over.
- Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!
