Lasagna

Well since we made lasagna noodles, it only makes sense to make a lasagna.

Lasagna is that two to three times a year dish. It’s not something we eat often but when we do it’s heavenly. We literally eat it on Christmas Day and Easter… that’s not to say every Italian does it like that but in our family that’s typically how it is. So tonight’s dinner was definitely a treat for us.

Here is what you’ll need:

For the sauce;

• 2-4 jars homemade tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes (the sauce amount will depend on how big or small your lasagna is)

• 1/4 of onion (chopped)

• Salt

• Fresh Basil

• Garlic powder

• Olive oil

• Rind of Parmesan (optional)

For the meat;

• Ground beef

• Garlic

• Salt

• Garlic powder

• 2-3 eggs

• Oregano

• Olive oil

For the lasagna;

• Aluminum throw away pan (make sure it’s deep)

• Lasagna noodles

• Parmesan cheese

• Grated/shredded mozzarella

Okay so let’s get our tomato sauce going! In a big pot we’re going to heat up a little bit of olive oil and the chopped onion. Once the onion is translucent we can add our crushed tomatoes or homemade tomatoes sauce that you made in September 😜. We’re going to add salt, garlic powder, fresh basil (all the unconventional way ) and the Parmesan rind. Why? Because that’s what my Nonna did and what my mom does so it’s just something I do. Plus it’s literally the secret to every perfect tomato sauce. Give it a stir and let simmer on med/low for a few hours (1-4 hours for better results and flavours) giving it a stir every so often.

Whiles our sauce is cooking low and slow, lets prepare our meat! We’re going to heat up a pan with very little olive oil add your ground beef (amount again depends on how big or small your lasagna is if you’re making a big lasagna you’ll want to use a whole family pack of ground beef. If it’s smaller a normal pack should be enough).

While your ground beef is cooking you can add salt, garlic powder, fresh garlic (grated or chopped fine) a pinch of oregano. Let those flavours marinate all together and cook the meat thoroughly. If you notice your meat is too oily/fatty push your meat to the side of the pan and add paper towel tilting the pan slightly to let the oils run to the paper towel so it can absorb it. Discard the paper towel immediately once you’ve strained the oil.

While your meat is cooking, in a bowl beat 2-3 eggs and add grated garlic, salt, oregano and Parmesan cheese.

Pour your egg mixtures in the ground beef and mix all together. The egg is kind of like a binder also adds a ton of flavour!

It should look like the picture above once it’s cooked. I forgot to take a picture of adding a little bit of the tomato sauce as well to the ground beef mixture once its cooked!

Now that everything is ready lets assemble! Take a ladle and scoop some of that delicious tomato sauce and pour it into your aluminum/baking pan. This is coating the bottom of the pan making it “non stick”.

Add a layer of lasagna noodles.

Then add some of your meat mixture, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella and some of your sauce. Repeat these steps until your pan is full.

Once your pan is full, pop this into your preheated oven (350 Fahrenheit) and cook between 45 minutes to 1 hour. I personally like to keep it in there for about an hour until the sides are crispy, but you do you boo.

Voila! Allow your lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Serve with whatever you want or just on its own. This is hearty, good old fashion comfort Italian food.

Buon appetito 👩🏻‍🍳 😘🤌🏽

Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think!