How to Make Lasagna
Lasagna is essentially a layered Italian casserole made up of three parts: meat sauce, cheese mixture, and pasta sheets. Here is the process of how to make and assemble your lasagna. For full recipe details and ingredient measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.
1. Make Lasagna Meat Sauce
Give yourself a good couple hours (or more!) to make the meat sauce because this is a big part of why Lasagna is so good!
In a large heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add in onion and saute.
Add in garlic and ground beef. Break meat apart as it browns.
Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, bay leaves, dried basil, sugar, Italian Seasoning and salt.
Bring to boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
Cook sauce 1-2 hours or until very thick. You may have to add more water as you go to ensure it doesn’t scorch which is totally normal.
Make Lasagna Cheese Filling
A classic Lasagna Recipe calls for ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan. While meat sauce cooks, stir cheeses together in a bowl with basil, parsley and salt & pepper. Set aside.
3. Cook Lasagna Pasta Sheets
Regardless of the brand of lasagna you’re using, be sure to check out the packaging and boil noodles for two-thirds of the recommended time. Since you will be baking the entire lasagna in the oven after you layer it, your pasta will continue cooking, so give it a place to go! Overcooked pasta does not make a good lasagna.
What is the correct order to layer lasagna?
Start with a bit of meat sauce in the bottom of a large casserole dish or a plain 9×13 and line the bottom with pasta. Top with the cheese mixture and meat sauce. Add another layer of noodles, cheese, and sauce and then top with more pasta, more sauce and a sprinkling of cheese. So, basically, here are your layers:
Meat Sauce (just a little so the noodles don’t stick to the bottom)
Noodles
Cheese Filling
Meat Sauce
Noodles
Cheese Filling
Meat Sauce
Noodles
Meat Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
4. Bake Homemade Lasagna
Cover your layered lasagna with aluminum foil that has been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray and bake, being sure to pull the foil off the last few minutes of cooking to brown the top.
What Temperature Should You Bake A Lasagna?
Lasagna should be baked at 375° F. Some recipes might call for 350, some might go as high as 425, but I think 375 is perfect.
How long to bake lasagna?
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