A delicious and hearty classic Italian lasagna, perfect for family dinners or special occasions. Layers of rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
Preparation time
30min
Cooking time
50min
Ingredients
8 Servings
- 2 tbsp basil
- 800 g canned tomatoes
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 3 cloves garlic
- 500 g ground beef
- 12 lasagna noodles
- 500 g mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 100 g parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 0.5 tsp pepper
- 450 g ricotta cheese
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 2 tsp sugar
- 170 g tomato paste
- 800 g tomato sauce
- 240 ml water
Directions
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
Step 2
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
Step 3
Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Step 4
Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, and water. Add the sugar, basil, fennel seeds, salt, and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, and chopped parsley. Set aside.
Step 6
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Step 7
To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. Place a layer of lasagna noodles on top of the sauce.
Step 8
Spread a layer of the ricotta mixture over the noodles, followed by a layer of the meat sauce. Sprinkle with a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 9
Repeat the layers, ending with a final layer of noodles, meat sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
Step 10
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Step 11
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 12
Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.