A rectangular ceramic dish filled with perfectly browned and bubbly, cheesy lasagna. The beautiful deep red of the tomato sauce is visible through the layers, contrasting against the golden brown of the cheese and the pale off-white pasta layers. The dish is garnished with a sprinkling of fresh chopped basil and a rich drizzle of olive oil.

Italian Cuisine Day Classic Lasagna

Name: Italian Cuisine Day Classic Lasagna
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: ground beef, 1 lb cooked and drained; ricotta cheese, 15 oz container; mozzarella cheese, 2 cups shredded; Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup grated; egg, 1 lightly beaten; lasagna noodles, 12 cooked and drained; Italian seasoning, 1 tsp; garlic, 2 cloves minced; tomato sauce, 2 cups; olive oil, 2 tbsp; salt, 1 tsp; pepper, 1/2 tsp

Category Main Course

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 50 minutes

Style Italian

Technique baking

Diet Friendly High-Protein

Daily Recipe: February 13, 2025

In celebration of Italian Cuisine Day, there's no better classic to prepare than lasagna! This timeless and iconic Italian dish is intensely flavorful, teeming with key ingredients like quality ground beef, fragrant Italian herbs, creamy ricotta cheese, delicious tomato sauce, and gooey melted mozzarella. Prepare to assemble and bake layers of perfection.

Ingredients (for 8)

Ground beef - 1 lb - cooked and drained
Ricotta cheese - 15 oz - container
Mozzarella cheese - 2 cups - shredded
Parmesan cheese - 1/2 cup - grated
Egg - 1 - lightly beaten
Lasagna noodles - 12 - cooked and drained
Italian seasoning - 1 tsp
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Tomato sauce - 2 cups
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Salt - 1 tsp
Pepper - 1/2 tsp

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥⏲️🔝

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2 - 🍲🍖🌿

In a bowl, mix 1 lb of cooked and drained ground beef, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
Step 3 - 🍲🧀🥚

In a separate bowl, blend together a 15 oz container of ricotta cheese, 1 lightly beaten egg, and half each of 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 4 - 🍅🥘🍜

Spread a thin layer of 2 cups of tomato sauce at the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Arrange 12 cooked and drained lasagna noodles on top.
Step 5 - 🧀🥩🔁

Spread half of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles, then add half of the meat mixture. Repeat the layers, once again starting with the tomato sauce and ending with the remaining cheese on top.
Step 6 - 🔥🕕🍴

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake the lasagna for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Step 7 - ⏰💤🍽️

Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This step is important as it allows the flavors to meld together.

Additional

Lasagna originates from the city of Naples, Italy, and its history dates back to the Middle Ages. As per Italian tradition, allow the lasagna to rest before serving—this will give the flavors time to meld together and make it easier to slice. Kids can help out by arranging the layers. For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with mushrooms or lentils.