Lasagna is a classic Italian dish that is made with layers of pasta, meat sauce, and cheese. It is a hearty and delicious dish that is perfect for a family meal or a special occasion.
This recipe for Classic Beef Lasagna is easy to follow and produces a delicious and satisfying meal. The meat sauce is made with ground beef, onions, garlic, and tomatoes, and the béchamel sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and Parmesan cheese. The layers are assembled in a baking dish and baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
This recipe is sure to please everyone at your table. It is a great dish to make for a potluck or family dinner. Serve it with a side salad or a green vegetable for a complete meal.
This blog post will provide you with a recipe for classic beef lasagna. The recipe is easy to follow and produces a delicious and satisfying lasagna that everyone will love.
What is Classic Lasagna Made Of?
lassic lasagna is made with a variety of ingredients, including:
- Lasagna noodles: These are flat, dry pasta sheets that are typically made from wheat flour. They are cooked in boiling water until they are soft and pliable.
- Meat sauce: This is a tomato-based sauce that is made with ground meat, onions, garlic, and spices.
- Ricotta cheese: This is a soft, creamy cheese that is made from whey and milk.
- Mozzarella cheese: This is a semi-hard cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It has a mild flavor and melts well.
- Parmesan cheese: This is a hard, dry cheese that is made from cow’s milk. It has a sharp, salty flavor.
Classic Beef Lasagna Recipe
Here is a recipe for classic beef lasagna:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 (28 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound lasagna noodles
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain off any excess fat.
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
Spread 1/2 cup of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Top with 3 lasagna noodles, overlapping as needed.
Spread with 1/2 of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Top with 1/2 of the remaining meat sauce.
Repeat layers, ending with a layer of meat sauce.
Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Do You Put Raw or Cooked Meat in Lasagna?
You should always use cooked meat in lasagna. Raw meat can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning. When you cook meat, the heat kills these bacteria, making it safe to eat.
Here are some tips for cooking meat for lasagna:
- Use lean ground beef. Lean ground beef is lower in fat and calories than ground beef with more fat.
- Brown the meat thoroughly. Brown the meat over medium heat until it is cooked through and no longer pink.
- Drain off any excess fat. After browning the meat, drain off any excess fat with a paper towel. This will help to prevent the lasagna from being greasy.
- Season the meat to taste. Season the meat with salt, pepper, and any other herbs or spices that you like.
Once the meat is cooked, you can add it to the lasagna along with the other ingredients.
Nutritional Facts
Here are the nutritional facts for a classic beef lasagna:
- Calories: 602
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 166mg
- Sodium: 1576mg
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Dietary Fiber: 3.9g
- Sugars: 11g
- Protein: 44g
Is Classic Beef Lasagna Healthy?
Classic beef lasagna is not considered a healthy dish. It is high in calories, fat, and sodium. A 1-cup serving of classic beef lasagna can contain up to 600 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 800 milligrams of sodium.
Health Benefits Of Classic Beef Lasagna
Classic beef lasagna can provide some health benefits, but it is important to note that it is also high in calories, fat, and sodium. Here are some of the potential health benefits of classic beef lasagna:
- Protein: Beef is a good source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue. A 1-cup serving of classic beef lasagna can provide about 20 grams of protein.
- Calcium: Ricotta cheese is a good source of calcium, which is important for strong bones and teeth. A 1-cup serving of classic beef lasagna can provide about 200 milligrams of calcium.
- Vitamin A: Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin A, which is important for vision, skin health, and the immune system. A 1-cup serving of classic beef lasagna can provide about 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A.
- Fiber: Whole-wheat lasagna noodles are a good source of fiber, which can help to promote digestive health. A 1-cup serving of classic beef lasagna made with whole-wheat noodles can provide about 4 grams of fiber.
Here are some tips for making classic beef lasagna healthier:
- Use lean ground beef.
- Use low-fat or fat-free ricotta cheese.
- Use reduced-fat or fat-free mozzarella cheese.
- Use whole-wheat lasagna noodles.
- Add vegetables to the sauce, such as spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
- Use less sauce.
- Top with a light sprinkling of Parmesan cheese instead of a heavy layer of mozzarella cheese.
By following these tips, you can make classic beef lasagna a healthier dish.
Conclusion
Classic Beef Lasagna is a delicious and satisfying dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a casual weeknight dinner. This recipe is easy to follow and produces a great result. I hope you enjoy it.