The Ultimate Guide to the Best Italian Lasagna Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Italian lasagna is a classic comfort food that everyone loves. Creamy ricotta, melted cheese, tangy tomato sauce and tender pasta layers are combined to create a lasagna dish that is sure to leave you and your family more than satisfied. In this article, we will explore the best Italian lasagna recipe with step-by-step instructions so you can make this delicious dish at home.

Ingredients Required for Making Italian Lasagna

The ingredients required for making the best Italian lasagna recipe are fairly basic, but be sure to invest in high-quality ingredients so that the dish turns out perfectly. You will need the following ingredients:

• 16 oz lasagna sheets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound minced meat or ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 ¾ neverending cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon sweet basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions for Making Italian Lasagna

Now that you have gathered all the ingredients, here are the step-by-step instructions you need to follow to make the best Italian lasagna recipe:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced meat or ground beef and cook until it’s completely browned, stirring occasionally. Add the onion and garlic, and continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until all the ingredients are soft.
3. Add the marinara sauce, sweet basil, salt and pepper to the meat mixture, and stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to medium and allow the sauce to simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. This will make the sauce thicker and more flavorful.
4. While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the lasagna sheets and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until they are al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
5. In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese and half the mozzarella cheese. Stir well to combine.
6. To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place a layer of lasagna sheets into the dish, then spread half of the ricotta and mozzarella cheese mixture over the top. Add another layer of meat sauce, followed by another layer of lasagna sheets. Repeat this process until all the ingredients are used up, finishing with a layer of meat sauce.
7. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top of the lasagna. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the lasagna to cool for a few minutes before cutting it into slices and serving.

Tips for Making Delicious Italian Lasagna

Now that you know how to make the best Italian lasagna recipe, here are a few tips to help ensure that your dish turns out absolutely delicious:

• Choose a high-quality marinara sauce to help give your lasagna a rich and robust flavor.
• For a vegetarian alternative, simply skip the minced meat or ground beef and use additional vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, spinach and mushrooms.
• If you’re short on time, you can also use your favorite store-bought cheese instead of making the sauce from scratch.
• This Italian lasagna recipe is perfect for preparing ahead, and you can also freeze leftovers for an easy and convenient meal option.

Conclusion

This Italian lasagna recipe is incredibly simple to follow, and the results are simply amazing. No matter what the occasion, this comforting and hearty dish is sure to become a family favorite. Now that you know how to make the best Italian lasagna with step-by-step instructions, all that’s left is to get cooking!