Hey Lykkers! If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, then you're going to love this luxurious lasagna recipe. It's packed with rich flavors from Italian sausage, fresh cheeses, and homemade tomato sauce.
This isn't your average lasagna — it's a step up, and we're here to guide you through every delicious layer.
Ingredients You'll Need for This Mouthwatering Dish
Let's start by gathering everything you'll need. This isn't just your typical lasagna — it's a gourmet version, so make sure you have the following ingredients on hand:
• 350g Italian sausage
• 250g tomato sauce
• 500g fresh lasagna sheets
• 3 medium tomatoes
• 400g lean ground meat(10% lipids)
• 250g tomato paste
• 1 bulb of garlic
• 2 medium onions
• 250g ricotta cheese
• 150g mozzarella cheese
• 150g Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• Olive oil
• Butter
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• Fresh basil
• Thyme
• Crushed fennel seeds
• Fresh cilantro
With these ingredients ready, let's move on to creating this fantastic lasagna.
Step 1: Preparing the Meat Sauce
The first step is to cook the meat sauce that will bring all the flavors together. Heat up a large pan over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil and some butter. Once it's sizzling, throw in the garlic and cracked black pepper and cook until fragrant. Next, add in the Italian sausage (crumbling it into small pieces as it cooks) and cook until browned.
After that, add in the lean ground meat and continue cooking, making sure the meat is fully browned. Toss in the chopped onions and tomatoes, and cook until the onions soften and the tomatoes break down. Now, add in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, thyme, and fennel seeds. Let this mixture simmer for 30-40 minutes until it thickens and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
Step 2: Preparing the Lasagna Sheets
While the sauce is simmering away, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fresh lasagna sheets and cook them for about 8 minutes, or until just tender. Once done, carefully remove them and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside to drain.
Step 3: Preparing the Ricotta Cheese Mixture
In a large bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, eggs, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of thyme. Stir everything until well combined. This creamy mixture will add richness to the layers of your lasagna.
Step 4: Assembling the Lasagna
Now that we have all our components ready, it's time to assemble the lasagna. Grab a glass baking dish and start by layering a bit of the tomato meat sauce at the bottom. Then, add a layer of lasagna sheets, followed by more tomato sauce. Add a layer of the ricotta cheese mixture on top of that. Continue layering in this order: lasagna sheets, tomato meat sauce, ricotta mixture.
When you reach the top layer, finish with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Baking the Lasagna
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil, ensuring it doesn't touch the cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes. This helps the lasagna cook through and meld together perfectly.
Step 6: Final Touches and Serving
After 30 minutes, remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 220°C (425°F). Bake for another 20 minutes, or until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly. Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it cool for 15 minutes before serving. This step is important because it allows the lasagna to set, making it easier to cut.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Delicious Lasagna!
Now for the best part—eating! Cut the lasagna into squares and serve it on a plate. For an extra touch of flavor, sprinkle some more Parmesan cheese and chopped cilantro on top. This lasagna is perfect for a cozy family dinner or impressing guests at a special occasion.
We hope you enjoy making (and eating) this decadent lasagna! It's a recipe that's sure to become a favorite. Let us know how it turns out in the comments below, and happy cooking, Lykkers!
