LASAGNA LIKE NO OTHER!

Lasagna like NO OTHER! image

Once you taste this lasagna recipe, you'll want it no other way. Since there are a lot of steps, this is may not be a recipe a beginner cook wants to tackle. But, this is restaurant quality lasagna at home. The seasoning in the meat sauce is perfect. Using semi-fresh basil adds a special flavor to the sauce. We think the ricotta...

Provided by Stacey Lawson

Categories Pasta

Time 3h

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

MEAT SAUCE
2 lb ground beef
1 large onion
6 oz tomato paste
2 Tbsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
3 clove garlic, chopped
2 can(s) canned, crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz each)
2 can(s) tomatoes, canned Italian-style and diced (14.5 oz each)
1 Tbsp chopped basil (Garden Gourmet found in refrigerated section with fresh herbs)
1 Tbsp chopped Italian seasoning (Garden Gourmet)
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
salt and pepper, to taste
RICOTTA SAUCE
1/2 stick butter
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1 c milk
2 lb ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp granulated garlic
1 Tbsp dried basil
1/2 c Parmesan cheese, grated
salt/pepper to taste
LASAGNA ASSEMBLY
1 lb lasagna noodles, cooked
2 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 c Parmesan cheese, grated

Steps:

1. In a large pot, brown ground beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add one tablespoon of granulated garlic. Drain meat if necessary.
2. Add onions and chopped garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes.
3. Add both cans of tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix into meat and onion mixture. Cook for a minute.
4. Add basil, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir.
5. At this point, you may need to add about 14 ounces of water. Also, you may want to add more sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Tomatoes will vary and more seasonings may be necessary. Let is simmer for about an hour while you prepare the other ingredients.
6. For ricotta sauce, in a large pan, melt butter. Add flour. Make sure all the flour is absorbed into the butter.
7. Cook for two minutes.
8. Add milk and whisk together. Bring up to a low simmer.
9. Add ricotta cheese and whisk together.
10. Add garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk and bring up to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
11. To assemble the lasagna, cook noodles to the point of being pliable yet firm.
12. Lay noodles in a pan. You may have to cut to fit your pan. If so, alternate the end where you put cut noodles.
13. Spoon ricotta cheese mixture over noodles and spread evenly.
14. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
15. Then a little meat sauce. Repeat this step. I can usually fit three layers. Save a little meat sauce for the top.
16. Top the lasagna with a layer of noodles.
17. Then top the noodles with a little meat sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
18. Bake at 350 for approximately one hour. I recommend placing a pan beneath your lasagna in case it bubbles over.