Best 8 The Best Lasagna Recipes

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Lasagna, a classic Italian dish, is a delicious and versatile casserole made with layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat. This hearty and flavorful dish is perfect for a special occasion or a casual family meal. There are many different variations of lasagna, but the basic ingredients and cooking method remain the same. In this article, we will provide you with three of the most popular lasagna recipes: the classic lasagna, the meatless lasagna, and the spinach and ricotta lasagna.

1. **Classic Lasagna:** This is the most traditional lasagna recipe, made with layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, and meat. The meat sauce is typically made with ground beef, pork, or veal, but you can also use a combination of meats. The cheese filling is usually a mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses.

2. **Meatless Lasagna:** This lasagna is perfect for vegetarians or those who prefer a lighter meal. It is made with the same ingredients as the classic lasagna, but without the meat. Instead, you can add roasted vegetables, such as zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers, to the sauce.

3. **Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna:** This lasagna is a delicious and healthy variation of the classic dish. It is made with layers of pasta, cheese, sauce, spinach, and ricotta cheese. The spinach adds a vibrant green color and a slightly bitter flavor to the lasagna, while the ricotta cheese adds a creamy and rich texture.

Let's cook with our recipes!

THE BEST LASAGNA



The Best Lasagna image

A long-simmered beef ragu lets the brightness of the tomatoes shine through while developing a meaty richness. Our ricotta is mixed with nutty Parmesan that tempers the sharp garlic and adds flavor. We worked hard to get the right balance of the ricotta and tomato sauce in the layers since each element has their own voice. Our lasagna also uses less mozzarella than many other recipes - we prefer the creaminess of ricotta over the stringiness of melted mozzarella. Look for the shorter noodles - you won't need to cut them when assembling the lasagna.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 pound ground beef
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
3 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
1 large carrot, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
1 large celery stalk, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
1 medium yellow onion, cut into 1/8-inch pieces
6 cloves garlic, finely grated
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
Two 28-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes
2 large sprigs basil
1 large piece of Parmesan rind
1 pound dried lasagna noodles (see Cook's Note)
2 cups whole milk ricotta
1 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
8 ounces whole milk mozzarella, grated on the large holes of a box grater (about 2 cups)

Steps:

  • Place the beef in a large bowl and "pull" it apart with two forks as if you were shredding pulled pork, breaking up the clumps and loosening the meat without compacting it.
  • Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the pancetta to a large bowl with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pot.
  • Spread the beef in an even layer in the same pot and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps and scraping up any browned bits from the pot, until the meat is browned and completely cooked, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer the browned meat with a slotted spoon to the bowl with the pancetta, leaving the fat in the pot.
  • Reduce the heat to medium. Add the carrots, celery, onions, half the garlic, the bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, nutmeg, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender but not browned, 6 to 8 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until it's very fragrant and brick red colored, about 2 minutes. Stir in the wine, bring to a boil and reduce until the liquid is very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the reserved pancetta and beef, bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Add the basil and Parmesan rind and simmer, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce resembles sloppy joes, 2 to 2 1/2 hours. There shouldn't be any rapid bubbles while cooking. Instead, the ragu should release occasional small bubbles. If the ragu reduces too quickly, add 1/2 cup of water and continue cooking. Repeat if necessary. The ragu needs the full 2 to 2 1/2 hour cook time to develop the flavors.
  • Discard the bay leaf, basil and Parmesan rind. Break up any remaining clumps of meat with the back of a spoon, making an even textured sauce. Season with salt and set aside until ready to assemble.
  • Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles, stirring occasionally and separating them to prevent sticking, until softened and bendable but are still hard and chalky in the center, about 5 minutes. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl of cold water and set aside until ready to assemble.
  • Stir together the ricotta, 1 cup of the Parmesan, the remaining grated garlic and 2 teaspoons salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly combined. Set aside until ready to assemble.
  • Lightly oil a 13-by-9-inch glass or ceramic baking pan. Spread 1 cup of the ragu evenly in the bottom of the pan. Lay a single layer of noodles over the ragu (if you're using long noodles, you will need to cut some noodles to fill the gaps). Spread 1 1/2 cups of the ragu over the noodles. Dollop 3/4 cup of the ricotta mixture over the ragu and spread lightly with a small offset spatula. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, followed by another layer of noodles. Repeat with the remaining pasta, ragu, ricotta mixture and mozzarella, creating 4 layers of pasta and ending with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella. (The lasagna should come just above the top of the pan but it will sink down slightly as it cooks.) Top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
  • Lightly oil a piece of foil and cover the pan. Put the pan on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any drips. Bake the lasagna until bubbling gently around the edges, about 1 hour.
  • Remove the lasagna from the oven and increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees F. Remove the foil and then continue to bake the lasagna until the top is browned and crisp around the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

BEST LASAGNA



Best Lasagna image

Want to know how to make lasagna for a casual holiday meal? You can't go wrong with this deliciously rich meat lasagna recipe. My grown sons and daughter-in-law request it for their birthdays, too. -Pam Thompson, Girard, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 1h50m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

9 lasagna noodles
1-1/4 pounds bulk Italian sausage
3/4 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (one 28 ounces, one 15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
2/3 cup water
2 to 3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley, divided
2 teaspoons dried basil
3/4 teaspoon fennel seed
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 carton (15 ounces) ricotta cheese
4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, cook sausage, beef and onion over medium heat 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink, breaking up meat into crumbles. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Drain., Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, water, sugar, 3 tablespoons parsley, basil, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes, stirring occasionally., In a small bowl, mix egg, ricotta cheese and remaining parsley and salt., Preheat oven to 375°. Spread 2 cups meat sauce into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Layer with 3 noodles and a third of the ricotta mixture. Sprinkle with 1 cup mozzarella cheese and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining meat sauce and cheeses (dish will be full)., Bake, covered, 25 minutes. Bake, uncovered, 25 minutes longer or until bubbly. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 519 calories, Fat 27g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 109mg cholesterol, Sodium 1013mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 35g protein.

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

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

GORDO'S BEST OF THE BEST LASAGNA



Gordo's Best of the Best Lasagna image

This recipe is adapted from several of the better lasagna dishes previously submitted. To test it, I invited a couple who previously owned an Italian restaurant. They were very impressed. This lasagna dish will become a regular in our household. In this dish I used a spicy moose sausage; you can use pork, deer, moose, lamb, or any other spicy sausage. To be enjoyed with a mixed salad, Italian bread, and a delightful red wine.

Provided by Gordo's Grub

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     Italian

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles
½ pound bulk spicy pork sausage
½ pound ground beef
½ cup minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32 ounce) jar tomato basil pasta sauce
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup dried parsley, divided
¼ cup Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon white sugar
1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
cooking spray
3 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (such as Cabot® Seriously Sharp)
3 eggs, whisked
1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, or to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.
  • Cook and stir sausage, beef, onion, and garlic in a large, deep skillet over medium heat until browned. Stir tomato basil sauce, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, 3/4 cup parsley, Italian seasoning, sugar, sea salt, and pepper into sausage mixture. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until flavors blend, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Stir ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, Cheddar cheese, eggs, and remaining 1/4 cup parsley together in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Cover sauce with a layer of lasagna noodles and spread the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the ricotta and a layer of noodles over the tomato sauce. Repeat the layering procedure 1 more time. Spread remaining sauce over the final layer of noodles and top with mozzarella cheese. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
  • Bake lasagna in the preheated oven until hot throughout and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil and bake until cheese is golden, about 10 minutes more. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 448.7 calories, Carbohydrate 45.4 g, Cholesterol 97.3 mg, Fat 19.4 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 23.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.7 g, Sodium 1230.9 mg, Sugar 12 g

THE BEST LASAGNA



The Best Lasagna image

This classic lasagna is made with an easy meat sauce as the base. Layer the sauce with noodles and cheese, then bake until bubbly! This is great for feeding a big family, and freezes well, too.

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Dinner     Casserole     Comfort Food     Freezer-friendly     Casserole     Lasagna     Pasta

Time 1h45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 21

For the meat sauce:
2 teaspoons Extra virgin olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef (chuck)
1/2 onion, diced (about 3/4 cup)
1/2 large bell pepper (green, red, or yellow), diced (about 3/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 28-ounce can good quality tomato sauce
3 ounces (half a 6-oz can) tomato paste
1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano, or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (preferably flat leaf), packed
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Pinch of garlic powder and/or garlic salt
1 tablespoon red or white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon to 1/4 cup sugar (to taste, optional)
Salt
To assemble the lasagna:
1/2 lb dry lasagna noodles (requires 9 lasagna noodles - unbroken)
15 ounces Ricotta cheese
1 1/2 lb (24 ounces) Mozzarella cheese, grated or sliced
1/4 lb (4 ounces) freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Put pasta water on to boil Put a large pot of salted water (1 Tbsp salt for every 2 quarts of water) on the stovetop on high heat. It can take a while for a large pot of water to come to a boil (this will be your pasta water), so prepare the sauce in the next steps while the water is heating.
  • Heat the oven to 375°F
  • Bake Cover the lasagna pan with aluminum foil, tented slightly so it doesn't touch the noodles or sauce). Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Uncover in the last 10 minutes if you'd like more of a crusty top or edges.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 813 kcal, Carbohydrate 30 g, Cholesterol 183 mg, Fiber 3 g, Protein 60 g, SaturatedFat 26 g, Sodium 1849 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 51 g, ServingSize Serves 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

BEST ITALIAN LASAGNA EVER!



Best Italian Lasagna Ever! image

This is the best lasagna recipe I have ever made. I had one lasagna several years ago that was out of this world and while this is not the same one, it is the closest one I have ever found. I like to make two and freeze one for later use.

Provided by alhardin

Categories     Kid Friendly

Time 1h20m

Yield 1 lasagna, 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

12 lasagna noodles
1 lb sweet Italian sausage link
1 lb ground beef
2 tablespoons garlic (pressed or minced)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons sweet basil
pepper (to taste)
2 tablespoons parsley
20 ounces diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (16 ounce) containers ricotta cheese (may use one container)
3/4 lb mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Boil noodles and drain (you may also use uncooked noodles).
  • Sauté garlic, sugar and salt.
  • Add sausage and ground beef and brown, breaking into small crumbles.
  • Add basil, pepper, tomatoes and paste; simmer 20-30 minutes until sauce thickens.
  • Mix together in bowl, ricotta, egg and parsley (add milk if it's too thick).
  • Layer sauce to cover bottom of pan, noodles 1/2 of ricotta mixture, 1/4 c of parmesan, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce and parmesan.
  • Bake covered for 25 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake another 25 minutes.
  • Let cool about 10-15 minutes then cut and serve.
  • Leftovers may be frozen and then heated in the oven until hot and melty.
  • Goes great with crusty garlic toast and a salad.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 890.3, Fat 53, SaturatedFat 26.2, Cholesterol 196.3, Sodium 2022, Carbohydrate 47.7, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 12.5, Protein 55.6

THE BEST EVER LASAGNA



The Best Ever Lasagna image

My brother, Joe, created this lasagna based on our mom's recipe. It's a family favorite at Christmas, thanks to the special ingredients that make it magnifico. -Stephanie Marchese, Taste of Home Visual Production Director

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 3h45m

Yield 15 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
2 cans (28 ounces each ) crushed tomatoes in puree
6 cups water
1 cup chopped fresh basil
2-1/4 teaspoons sugar, divided
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
4 Italian sausage links
1 carton (16 ounces) whole milk ricotta cheese
8 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
12 sheets no-cook lasagna noodles
21 slices provolone cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook onion in olive oil over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 3-4 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes, water, fresh basil, 2 teaspoons sugar and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer 1 hour, stirring occasionally., Meanwhile, cook bulk sausage in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 8-10 minutes; drain. Add to sauce; simmer until mixture is thickened, about 1 hour longer., While sauce simmers, preheat oven to 350°. Place sausage links on a rimmed baking sheet; roast until cooked through, 35-40 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly; slice into 1/4-in.-thick pieces., In a small bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, dried basil and remaining sugar., In a greased 13x9-in. baking dish, spread 2 cups sauce. Arrange 4 noodles over sauce; spread with a third of the ricotta mixture. Add 7 provolone slices, a third of the sliced sausage and 1-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers 2 more times, using only 1 cup sauce per layer. Spread with 2 cups sauce (reserve remaining sauce for serving on the side), remaining 2-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese (dish will be full)., Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, uncovered, until bubbly and deep golden brown, 60-65 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Serve with remaining meat sauce.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 509 calories, Fat 33g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 1185mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

THE BEST LASAGNA RECIPE BY TASTY



The Best Lasagna Recipe by Tasty image

Tasty's ultimate lasagna is cheesy, comforting and indulgent. We spent hours upon hours perfecting this recipe to test different techniques, methods, and ingredients and ended up with a dish that has layers of creamy béchamel, rich tomato sauce, and mounds of mozzarella and fontina cheeses. We truly think it's the best!

Provided by Lauren Lee

Categories     Dinner

Time 22h10m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 35

½ lb ground sirloin, lean
½ lb mild italian pork sausage, casing removed
2 oz prosciutto, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
½ teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
2 tablespoons tomato paste
½ cup dry red wine
28 oz whole tomatoes, preferably San Marzano
1 ½ cups passata, or strained tomatoes
1 large carrot, eeled
½ cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
½ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
6 cups whole milk, room temperature
2 teaspoons kosher salt
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
1 lb no boil lasagna noodles
hot water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups freshly grated fontina cheese
1 cup freshly grated low-moisture mozzarella cheese
4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into small pieces
¼ cup freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
fresh basil leaf, for garnish

Steps:

  • Make the meat sauce: In a large bowl, gently combine the ground sirloin, sausage, and prosciutto, being careful not to overmix. Shape into 5-6 large, shaggy meatballs.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and brown on all sides, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and repeat with the remaining meatballs.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion. Season with salt and sauté until translucent, 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds. Sauté for 1 minute, until the garlic is fragrant.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring frequently, until the color turns dark red, 3-4 minutes.
  • Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom, and cook until the liquid has almost evaporated, 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the canned tomatoes, passata, carrot, butter, the browned meatballs, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½-2 hours, until the sauce has thickened.
  • Remove the sauce from the heat and discard the carrot, then use a potato masher to crush the meatballs into small pieces. Season the sauce with more salt to taste. If the sauce tastes too acidic, add the granulated sugar. Stir in the basil leaves and set aside.
  • Make the béchamel sauce: Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter starts to foam, add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly, for about 3 minutes, until no lumps remain but the roux has not yet browned. While whisking, slowly pour in the milk until evenly incorporated. Whisk in the salt, garlic powder, and nutmeg. Bring to a low simmer and cook, whisking often, until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon, 8-10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
  • Assemble the lasagna: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 x 13 x 3-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Add no-boil lasagna noodles to a large baking dish or bowl. Cover with hot water and add the olive oil. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until the noodles are a bit more pliable, but still snap when broken in half.
  • Spread about ¾ cup of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Add a layer of lasagna noodles. Spread about 1 heaping cup of béchamel over noodles in an even layer. Top with 1 heaping cup of meat sauce, followed by ¼ cup fontina and ¼ cup grated mozzarella. Add another layer of noodles, arranging in the opposite direction as the first layer, and top with about 1 heaping cup of béchamel. Repeat to make 4 more layers, ending with a layer of lasagna noodles.
  • Spread 1 cup of béchamel, then 1 cup of meat sauce over the noodles. Scatter the remaining ½ cup of fontina, the fresh mozzarella cheese, and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano on top. Reserve the remaining meat sauce for serving. Cover the baking dish with a sheet of foil (grease the underside with nonstick spray to prevent the cheese from sticking) and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Bake the lasagna for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbling. Broil for 1-2 minutes, if desired, to brown the cheese. Remove from the oven and let the lasagna sit for at least 20 minutes to cool.
  • Garnish the lasagna with the basil, then serve with the reserved meat sauce alongside.
  • Enjoy!

Tips:

  • Use fresh lasagna sheets for the best texture and flavor.
  • Don't overcook the lasagna noodles. They should be al dente, or slightly firm to the bite.
  • Use a variety of cheeses for a more flavorful lasagna. A combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan is a classic choice.
  • Don't skimp on the sauce. A good lasagna should have plenty of sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld and the lasagna to set.

Conclusion:

Lasagna is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its many variations, there's sure to be a lasagna recipe that everyone will love. Whether you're making a classic lasagna or trying something new, be sure to follow these tips for the best results. With a little practice, you'll be able to make a lasagna that's sure to impress your family and friends.

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