Best Lasagna Della Casa Recipes

THE ULTIMATE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cook the lasagna noodles in plenty of boiling salted water until pliable and barely tender, about 10 minutes. Stir with a wooden spoon to prevent sticking. Drain the noodles thoroughly and coat with olive oil to keep them moist and easy to work with.
• Coat a large skillet with olive oil, add beef and sausage and brown until no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. In a food processor, combine the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, basil, parsley, an oregano. Process until pureed, add to the pan with the ground meat and stir to combine. Stir in the flour. Add the wine and cook until it has reduced by half. Stir in the tomatoes and add the heavy cream and the cinnamon.
• In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta and the parmesan. Stir in the eggs and season with salt and pepper.
• To assemble the lasagna: Coat the bottom of a deep 13 by 9-inch pan with olive oil. Arrange 4 noodles lengthwise in a slightly overlapping layer on the sauce. Then, line each end of the pan with a lasagna noodle. This forms a collar that holds in the corners. Dollop 1/2 of the ricotta mixture over the pasta, spread to the edges with a spatula. Spread 1/2 of the meat mixture over the ricotta. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella on top of the ricotta. Top with a ladle full of sauce, spread evenly. Repeat with the next layer of noodles, ricotta, sauce, and cheeses. Top last layer with noodles, sauce, shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Tap the pan to force out air bubbles. Bake for 1 hour. Remove from oven. Let lasagna rest for 30 minutes so the noodles will settle and cut easily. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.

WORLD'S BEST LASAGNA

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.

CLASSIC ITALIAN LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bechamel sauce:
• In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
• Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
• In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

THE BEST LASAGNA

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.

LASAGNA DELLA CASA

Steps:

• Ragù: Peel and finely mince the carrot. (Optional: use a Japanese mandoline to make thin, even slices before mincing.) Peel and finely mince the red onion. Finely mince the celery rib. Together, these ingredients make up the soffritto base of the ragù.
• Warm the olive oil and butter in a large (6-quart) saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the carrot, celery and onion. Gently cook the soffritto until it is deeply browned, about 15-20 minutes. (This may take up to 45 minutes!)Mince the pancetta. Remove the sausage from its casing; add the pancetta, sausage, and ground veal to the saucepan. Increase the heat to medium, break up the sausage and veal with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meats are evenly browned and beginning to stick to the bottom of the pan, about 10-15 minutes.Add the wine and cook until it has reduced completely, making sure you scrape up anything stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the tomato and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat and simmer the sauce for at least 3 hours, until the flavors meld and the meats are completely tender. Add stock or water, as needed, if the sauce begins to dry out and stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Pasta: While the ragù simmers, make the pasta sheets and bechamel sauce. (We recommend these handmade pasta sheets, but the lasagna is still very delicious with store-bought noodles.) On a wooden cutting board or clean kitchen counter, combine the two flours and a pinch of salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg yolks and whole egg. Whisk together gently with a fork, then slowly cut the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add the olive oil and some water, if necessary, to the well. Working from the center, continue until all the wet ingredients have been incorporated into the dough. (There may be some extra flour that can be discarded, depending on the consistency of the wet ingredients.) After the dough has come together into a mass, knead until it is shiny and uniform in texture, about 5-7 minutes. Kneading activates the gluten and gives the pasta a silky, firm bite. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow it to rest for at least 1 hour, until you are ready to roll your pasta. (The pasta dough can be made several days in advance, and kept in the refrigerator.)
• After the dough has rested, remove the plastic wrap and temper the dough with a rolling pin or your hands. Using a pasta maker, roll the dough out several times on the thickest setting. Adjust the setting to a medium thickness; continue rolling on increasingly thinner settings until the pasta is medium-thin in thickness. (If the thinnest setting on your machine is 9, roll it to 7; if the thinnest setting on your machine is 1, roll it to 3.) Check the thickness of the pasta by blanching a small piece in boiling water. Trim the sheets into 5" x 10" rectangles and dust lightly with all-purpose or semolina flour, to prevent sticking. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside until ready to blanch.
• The quicker alternative method for pasta sheets: In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the flours and salt, make a well in the dry ingredients, add the whole egg and egg yolks, and slowly work the dough with the mixer. Add the olive oil and water, if necessary, and slowly knead the dough with the paddle. Once the dry ingredients are fully incorporated, continue to knead the dough with the paddle, 1-2 minutes. Wrap and rest in the same manner as the above.
• Fill a large stock pot with water, season with a generous cup of salt and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Prepare a large bowl with ice water. With a large slotted spoon or mesh strainer, gently lower the pasta sheets, one at a time, into the boiling water. Blanch the sheets for about 45 seconds, until cooked to al dente. Place each sheet of pasta in the ice water. Spread out wax paper or plastic wrap and brush lightly with oil. Once the pasta has cooled completely, remove the pasta from the ice water, gently pat dry and spread onto the prepared wax paper or plastic wrap. The pasta sheets can be refrigerated for up to 4 hours.
• Bechamel: Heat a medium (4-quart) saucepan over low heat. Melt the butter. Add the flour and mix until the flour is evenly absorbed. Continue to stir and cook until the flour begins to thicken and bind with the butter, about 1-2 minutes. Using a whisk, add the cold milk, a little at a time, until all of it has been incorporated. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat, and cook until the sauce is smooth and thick enough to thoroughly coat the back of a spoon, about 10 minutes. The bechamel sauce can be made several days in advance and kept in the refrigerator.
• After about 3 hours, check the ragù sauce and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as necessary. Have the bechamel sauce warm and easily spreadable, and the pasta sheets in easy reach. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium (7" x 11") baking dish or lasagna pan, spread a small amount of bechamel on the bottom. Gently lay a sheet of pasta on top. Spread about a quarter of the ragù sauce on the pasta. Add another sheet of pasta, another layer of bechamel sauce, a sprinkle of Parmesan, and another quarter of the ragù sauce. Repeat the order of the layers, finishing with a layer of pasta spread with bechamel sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan. (The assembled, unbaked lasagna can be made in advance and either refrigerated or frozen, until ready to bake.) Cover with foil and bake for about 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the top to brown and bubble. Remove the lasagna from the oven, and let it rest briefly before serving.