Gosh, is there anything more heartwarming and satisfying than a delicious, bubbling meat lasagna, fresh from the oven? It’s comfort food at its finest, and it’s hands down my absolute favorite dish to cook for my loved ones. No wonder Garfield the cat is obsessed with it!
To start, I love heading to my local farmer’s market to grab the freshest ingredients possible. In my mind, a successful dish is all about using the best and the freshest, and boy, you can taste the difference when you bite in.
Now let’s get to the nitty-gritty of the lasagna itself. Diving into the layers of this succulent and indulgent dish is like a roller coaster ride. It’s thrilling and exhilarating, and I can’t help but get excited when I’m up to my elbows in the preparation process.
First things first – it’s all about the meat sauce. Get it right, and you’re golden. For me, the secret is a mixture of lean ground beef and pork, simmered together in a divine marriage of flavors. As for the spices, it’s a case of You only live once – a bit of this, a bit of that, and Bob’s your uncle – the most heavenly aromatic sauce you’ve ever experienced. Top it off with a generous helping of red wine for some extra oomph!
Next up, the cheese—a melty, gooey concoction of ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s the pièce de résistance, the glue that holds this culinary masterpiece together. Don’t skimp on it, unless you want some serious side-eye from your dinner guests!
Finally, the noodles. I keep it simple with good-quality lasagna sheets, but kudos to you if you can whip up some homemade pasta from scratch. Trust me, it’s a labor of love!
After all’s said and done, what’s left is an epic tale of layers and flavors, a tribute to the humble lasagna that will leave your loved ones begging for more. It’s food for the soul, and as the old saying goes, The way to a man’s (or woman’s) heart is through their stomach! So grab your apron and let the lasagna love story begin!
Meat Lasagna Recipe:
Gather ingredients:
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup red wine (optional)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12-16 lasagna noodles, cooked until al dente
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic, cook until softened.
- Add ground beef and ground pork, cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon.
- Stir in marinara sauce, red wine (if using), basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, egg, and Parmesan cheese until well combined.
- Assemble lasagna:
- In a 9×13-inch baking dish, add a layer of meat sauce to coat the bottom.
- Lay out a layer of lasagna noodles, overlapping slightly.
- Spread a layer of ricotta mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Add another layer of meat sauce, and then repeat with noodles, ricotta mixture, and mozzarella cheese.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles, topped with meat sauce and a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue to bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil (optional) and enjoy!
That was fresh!
