Description
Homemade creamy Italian lasagna delight brings layers of rich ricotta, tender pasta, and savory beef sauce from traditional Italian kitchens. Generations of family recipes combine in this hearty meal that welcomes comfort and warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or Italian sausage
- 1 cup (226 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- 4 cups (946 mL) chicken broth
- 2 cups (473 mL) Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a aromatic base for the lasagna’s flavor profile.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground meat thoroughly, breaking into fine fragments while draining excess fat to ensure a lean, rich texture.
- Aromatic Infusion: Sauté onions and garlic until translucent, releasing their subtle, fragrant essence into the developing sauce.
- Liquid Integration: Pour chicken broth, Alfredo sauce, and diced tomatoes into the skillet, blending herbs and seasonings to construct a complex flavor landscape.
- Simmering Stage: Bring mixture to a brief boil, then reduce heat and allow sauce to simmer, concentrating flavors and creating a harmonious liquid base for approximately 10 minutes.
- Pasta Incorporation: Gently introduce lasagna noodles directly into the simmering sauce, allowing them to cook and absorb the rich, multilayered flavors until perfectly tender, about 10-12 minutes.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the dish, stirring until they melt completely, transforming the sauce into a creamy, luxurious coating that embraces every ingredient.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef or a blend of beef and Italian sausage for maximum flavor complexity and reduced greasiness.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Shred cheese freshly instead of using pre-packaged varieties to ensure smoother melting and more authentic texture.
- Simmer Secrets: Keep pot partially covered during cooking to prevent excessive liquid evaporation while allowing flavor concentration and ingredient infusion.
- Texture Tip: Stir occasionally during pasta cooking to prevent noodles from sticking together and ensure even sauce distribution throughout the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg