Best 5 Simple Italian Baked Lasagna Recipes

EASY LASAGNA II

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat brown the ground beef. Drain the grease. Add spaghetti sauce and simmer for 5 minutes.
• In a large bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, 2 cups of the mozzarella cheese, eggs, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, dried parsley, salt and ground black pepper.
• To assemble, in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly spread 3/4 cup of the sauce mixture. Cover with 3 uncooked lasagna noodles, 1 3/4 cup of the cheese mixture, and 1/4 cup sauce. Repeat layers once more: top with 3 noodles, remaining sauce, remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Add 1/2 cup water to the edges of the pan. Cover with aluminum foil.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree F(175 degrees C) oven for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC AND SIMPLE MEAT LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the lasagna noodles a few at a time, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Remove the noodles to a plate.
• Place the ground beef into a skillet over medium heat, add the garlic, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Cook the meat, chopping it into small chunks as it cooks, until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
• In a bowl, mix the cottage cheese, eggs, and Parmesan cheese until thoroughly combined.
• Place 4 noodles side by side into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan; top with a layer of the tomato-basil sauce, a layer of ground beef mixture, and a layer of the cottage cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice more, ending with a layer of sauce; sprinkle top with the mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbling and the cheese has melted, about 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake until cheese has begun to brown, about 10 more minutes. Allow to stand at least 10 minutes before serving.

CLASSIC ITALIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bechamel sauce:
• In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
• In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

EASY ITALIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Cook noodles according to package directions, drain and set aside.
• Combine ground beef, pork and onion in skillet and cook until brown, drain fat.
• Combine browned meat, garlic, sauce, and all seasonings and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Cook Italian Sausage and sliced into thin pieces.
• In a large bowl combine eggs ricotta cheese, parsley and 1 cup mozzarella.
• Spray sides and bottom of 13 by 9 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• Spoon 1/4 of the meat sauce mix into the bottom of the baking pan and spread evenly.
• Place a single layer of lasagna noodles on top of the meat sauce mixture making sure to evenly cover the entire pan.
• Next, layer 1/4 of the ricotta mixture into the pan and spread evenly.
• Then, add a layer of the thinly sliced Italian sausage spaced 1-2 inches apart.
• Finally sprinkle 1/4 of the mozzarella and parmesean on top of the sausage. Repeat this layering until all of the ingredients have been layered into the pan.
• Cover pan with aluminum foil.
• Make sure the foil is not touching the cheese.
• Bake for 30 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes uncovered.
• Allow lasagna to sit for 10 minutes before cutting.
• Serve with garlic bread and a salad and enjoy!

SIMPLE ITALIAN BAKED LASAGNA

Steps:

• Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions or until tender but still firm.
• Drain, keep warm.
• Meanwhile, saute the ground beef, garlic and onion is a large heavy skillet or saucepan until beef is done.
• Add sauce, salt, and Italian seasoning and mix well.
• Simmer on low heat 12-15 minutes .
• In a separate bowl, combine eggs and ricotta cheese.
• Grease a 9" x 12" or larger, baking pan.
• Arrange a first layer of noodles so the ends hang over the sides of the pan.
• (The ends will be laid back-over the top for the final layer).
• Then add a layer of the cooked beef lasagna sauce, ricotta cheese and mozzarella cheese.
• Add a second alternating layer of pasta, the meat sauce and cheese mixture.
• Repeat until pan is almost full then fold over the ends of the first layer of noodles and top with more lasagna sauce.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes , or till cheese is bubbly.
• Allow to set for 5-10 minutes before cutting.
• This Lasagna recipe can be modified to suit individual preferences. I have also made it using Italian sausage instead of beef, and I have added a can of chopped tomatoes to the sauce mixture with good results. Sometimes I mix in shredded parmesan cheese to the ricotta for an extra boost :).