For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef
- 1 pound (450g) ground Italian sausage
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces (425g) ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic to the meat mixture. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Make the Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
3. Preheat Your Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Place four cooked lasagna noodles over the meat sauce.
- Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle a portion of mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add more meat sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top for that delightful golden crust.
5. Bake and Serve:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
- Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
There you have it, a scrumptious homemade lasagna recipe that’s bound to impress your loved ones. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a cozy family dinner, this lasagna will surely satisfy your cravings for Italian comfort food. Enjoy!
Nutritious Homemade Lasagna Recipe – Healthy and Delicious
Introduction: Who says lasagna can’t be both delicious and nutritious? In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make a healthier version of this classic Italian dish, packed with essential nutrients. We’ve made smart ingredient choices without compromising on taste. Get ready to savor every bite of our nutritious homemade lasagna!
Ingredients:
For the Meat Sauce:
- 1 pound (450g) lean ground turkey or chicken
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce (low-sodium)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (assorted colors)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Cheese Filling:
- 1 ½ cups part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups part-skim mozzarella cheese
Additional Ingredients:
- 12 whole wheat lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Meat Sauce:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add ground turkey or chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, low-sodium tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Make the Cheese Filling:
- In a bowl, combine part-skim ricotta cheese, egg, chopped spinach, and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined.
3. Preheat Your Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
4. Assemble the Lasagna:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom.
- Place four cooked whole wheat lasagna noodles over the meat sauce.
- Spread half of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle a portion of part-skim mozzarella cheese on top.
- Add more meat sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, and mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top if desired for a nice crust.
5. Bake and Serve:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes until the lasagna is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown.
- Allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired.
This nutritious lasagna recipe proves that you can enjoy your favorite comfort food while maintaining a balanced diet. Packed with lean protein, veggies, and whole grains, it’s a meal that both your taste buds and your body will thank you for. Share this healthy lasagna with your loved ones and relish the goodness of homemade cooking!