CLASSIC LASAGNA

Posted on by eefulton

Lasagna. I mean, come on. What a classic. Who can even hear that word & not think of cozy moments? Lasagna is something special my mom made when I was a kid. I know she doesn’t love making it because it takes a lot of time, but OMG. Her’s is so delicious! 

I’ve always wanted to perfect my lasagna recipe because it’s just one of those dishes that makes me feel at home. 

This dish may seem like a little bit of a pain in the rear, but it truly isn’t. Sure, it has a few steps, but each process is really easy. 

Here is my biggest tip when making this dish.. take your time! Do every step one at a time. If you try to do it all at once, you’re more likely to be overwhelmed. I also like to get every component out for each step before I begin & then clean it all up ( dishes & all ) before moving onto the next step. 

This is such a great recipe to make on a lazy Sunday to sit around the table with anyone you love enough to share your lasagna with! 

Happy cooking! xx 

ellyn 

SERVINGS: 10-12

TIME: 2.5 hours

INGREDIENTS:

For cheese mixture..

  • 16 oz cottage cheese, large curd
  • 4 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

For meat mixture..

  • 1 medium onion
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 3 large garlic cloves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 cans plain tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

For bechamel..

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons flour
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup half & half
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 19 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350.

For cheese mixture..

  1. Combine all ingredients for cheese mixture. Set aside.

For meat mixture..

  1. In a large skillet add diced onions, ground beef & ground pork to medium high heat. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until meat is cooked through & onions are tender. 
  2. Remove meat from skillet & let drain on a paper towel lined plate. After most of the fat has drained off, add the meat mixture back to the skillet over medium low heat. 
  3. Add in remaining ingredients for the meat mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat & set aside. 

For bechamel..

  1. In another skillet melt butter for the bechamel over medium heat. Once butter has melted, add the flour. Whisk continuously for 2-3 minutes or until the roux is light brown. 
  2. Slowly add in the heavy cream & half & half while whisking. 
  3. Let the sauce simmer & thicken over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Add seasonings. 
  4. Layer lasagna! Here’s how I do it..
  • ½ bechamel
  • Noodles ( 3 ) 
  • ⅓ meat sauce
  • Noodles ( 3 )
  • ½ cheese mixture
  • Noodles ( 3 )
  • ⅓ meat sauce
  • Noodles ( 3 )
  • ½ cheese mixture
  • Noodles ( 3 )
  • ⅓ meat mixture 
  • Noodles ( 4 ) – I like to do 4 noodles on the top layer because it makes it pretty!
  • ½ bechamel
  1. Cover & bake for 45 minutes. 
  2. Remove foil & broil for another 5 minutes to get the top a little brown.
  3. Enjoy!