Lasagna with Ricotta and Bechamel sauce
Lasagna with ricotta and bechamel sauce represents the perfect marriage of Italian culinary traditions, combining the creamy richness of Northern Italian cooking with the robust flavors of the South. This comprehensive guide explores the history, ingredients, and techniques for creating this ultimate comfort food that has captivated taste buds worldwide.
Ingredients
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (or half beef, half Italian sausage)
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup water (if sauce is too thick)
For the Ricotta Layer:
- 15 oz ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley or fresh basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Layers:
- 9 lasagna noodles (regular or oven-ready)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan (for topping)
Instructions
Prepare the Meat Sauce
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté the onion for 2–3 minutes, then add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
- Add ground meat, breaking it up as it browns (about 5–7 minutes).
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, and seasonings. Simmer on low for 20–30 minutes. Add water if needed.
Make Ricotta Filling
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper.
- Mix until smooth and set aside.
Boil the Lasagna Noodles (if using regular noodles)
- Cook according to package directions. Drain and lay flat on a baking sheet with parchment to avoid sticking.
Assemble the Lasagna
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish:
- Spread 1 cup meat sauce on the bottom.
- Layer 3 noodles, slightly overlapping.
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta mixture over noodles.
- Add 1 cup sauce and 1 cup mozzarella.
- Repeat layers two more times: noodles, ricotta, sauce, mozzarella
- Finish with remaining sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cover lasagna with foil (spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking).
- Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Let rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing.
