Best 2 Carols Lasagna Recipes

Indulge in the classic Italian comfort food with Carol's lasagna, a delectable dish that combines rich flavors and textures in every bite. This hearty lasagna features layers of tender pasta sheets, a flavorful meat sauce simmered with aromatic herbs and spices, and a creamy béchamel sauce. Topped with a golden-brown layer of melted cheese, this lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings and special occasions.

In this article, we take you through three variations of Carol's lasagna, each with its own unique twist. The classic lasagna recipe stays true to the traditional flavors, while the veggie lasagna offers a meatless alternative with an array of colorful vegetables. For a touch of elegance, the seafood lasagna incorporates succulent shrimp and flaky fish, creating a delightful combination of flavors. With step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and mouthwatering photos, this article is your ultimate guide to making Carol's lasagna a success.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CAROL'S LASAGNA

Carol's Lasagna image

Mom didn't like ricotta cheese in her lasagna (& DEFINITELY didn't like the popular substitute, cottage cheese). So she played around with the ingredients to suit herself, which included pairing mozzarella cheese with swiss cheese. Different, but deliciously so. This recipe can be made "saucier" by not cooking down the tomato...

Provided by Fran Miller

Categories Beef

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 lb ground chuck (although ground turkey also works well)
1 large onion, chopped
2 clove garlic, minced
1 medium green pepper, seeded & chopped
2 pinches of oregano (or to taste)
sprinkle of garlic salt (or to taste)
sprinkle of salt (or to taste)
58 oz (2 large cans) of tomato sauce
16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
12 oz shredded swiss cheese
4 oz sliced mushrooms, fresh or canned, optional
8 oz lasagna noodles
1 Tbsp cooking oil

Steps:

1. Put on a pot of water to boil for the lasagna noodles. It's OK if they get done before the sauce since the whole dish will heat up in the oven.
2. Brown the ground chuck, onion, garlic and green pepper together. (If you're using fresh mushrooms, add them now, instead of Step #9.) Drain well.
3. Add oregano, garlic salt, salt and tomato sauce to the browned meat mixture. (Add the canned mushroom LIQUID now, if used. Save the canned mushrooms until step #9.) Cook over low-medium heat until thickened, stirring often, about 30-40 minutes. (If you like your lasagna "saucier," cook only about 20 minutes.)
4. While cooking the sauce, cook the lasagna noodles, with the oil, in the boiling water until almost tender. Drain the noodles.
5. Mix the cheeses together in a bowl.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease (or mist with cooking spray) a 13 x 9 baking dish.
7. When everything is done, layer the ingredients as follows: a little meat sauce...
8. ...lasagna noodles...
9. ...meat sauce... (Add some canned mushrooms with this layer, if you're using them.)
10. ...1/3 of the mozzarella & swiss cheeses...
11. ...more meat sauce.
12. Add a second layer of pasta, more meat sauce, more canned mushrooms (if using), cheeses, and another layer of meat sauce.
13. Final layer is pasta, rest of the meat sauce, last of the canned mushrooms, and finally, the rest of the cheeses.
14. Bake at 350 degrees F until the cheese melts & browns just a little, about 25 minutes. Watch closely to avoid overbaking.
15. Serve with your favorite salad & garlic bread.

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA

World's Best Lasagna image

It takes a little work, but it is worth it.

Provided by John Chandler

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 3h15m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 20

Ingredients

1 pound sweet Italian sausage
¾ pound lean ground beef
½ cup minced onion
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (6.5 ounce) cans canned tomato sauce
½ cup water
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons dried basil leaves
½ teaspoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided, or to taste
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 lasagna noodles
16 ounces ricotta cheese
1 egg
¾ pound mozzarella cheese, sliced
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

In a Dutch oven, cook sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until well browned. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water. Season with sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and 2 tablespoons parsley. Simmer, covered, for about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain noodles, and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese with egg, remaining parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
To assemble, spread 1 1/2 cups of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 6 noodles lengthwise over meat sauce. Spread with one half of the ricotta cheese mixture. Top with a third of mozzarella cheese slices. Spoon 1 1/2 cups meat sauce over mozzarella, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers, and top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil: to prevent sticking, either spray foil with cooking spray, or make sure the foil does not touch the cheese.
Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove foil, and bake an additional 25 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.5 g, Cholesterol 81.8 mg, Fat 21.3 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 29.7 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 1400.4 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

Tips:

Use fresh lasagna noodles for the best texture and flavor.
Don't boil the noodles before assembling the lasagna. Instead, cook them directly in the sauce.
Use a variety of cheeses in your lasagna, such as ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients in your lasagna. For example, you could add vegetables, meat, or seafood.
Let the lasagna rest for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to set.

Conclusion:

Carol's Lasagna is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is a great option for busy weeknights or special occasions. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give Carol's Lasagna a try!