The Best Lasagna Recipe Ever (2024)

Lasagna Recipe


Layers of melting cheese, veal & pork mince along with a velvety rich tomato sauce make up my favourite Lasagna recipe with porcini mushrooms. This rustic Lasagna Recipe is simple to make and bursting with flavour. My secret weapon of porcini mushrooms might be a twist on the traditional recipe, but it will melt in your mouth.

Watch video recipe:

Ingredients:

1 x celery branch (chopped into cubes)
1 x carrot (chopped into cubes)
¼ onion, or 1/2 if it is small (chopped into small pieces)
500g Lasagna sheets

Vincenzo's Plate Tip: Lasagna sheets should be good quality and I prefer the ones you use that you don't need to pre-cook because you can put them straight into the oven. Of course fresh lasagna sheets would be even better!

1 x packet of dried porcini mushrooms
700g mixed veal and pork mince
150g diced dry mozzarella
1 x fresh mozzarella (fior di latte)
1 x large piece of Parmigiano Reggiano (you can also buy this already grated if you like)
2 pinches of mixed dried herbs
Extra virgin olive oil
1 Litre of Amazing Tomato Sauce

Utensil:

1 x large deep saucepan
1 x rectangular non-stick baking tray
1 x knife
1 x wooden spoon
1 x grater
1 x small bowl

Method:

1.Preheat your oven to 180C degrees.
2.Add water to your kettle and boil it.
3.Place the porcini mushrooms in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Not too much, but they should be almost covered.
4.Place the saucepan on the stove at a medium heat and add 4-5 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.
5.Add onion, carrot and celery and mix with a wooden spoon. Leave to simmer until onion browns.
6.Slice 4 pieces of the dry mozzarella and then cut them into small cubes.
7.Now that the onion has browned, add the mince, breaking it up first with your hands and then once you have added it all, break it up more with a wooden spoon.

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8.The meat will start to brown and once it is half cooked, add the porcini mushrooms, along with the water they have been in and combine. Make sure you strain the water as the mushrooms might have some residue.
9.Once the meat has almost finished cooking, break it down a little more with the spoon and add the passata/fresh tomato puree.
10.Let this simmer, and add fresh basil leaves, breaking them into smaller pieces using your hands.

11.Add 2 x pinches of dried mixed herbs.
12.Leave this on the stove for at least 10 minutes.
13.Now cut the Fior di latte into slices, and then into small cubes.
14.Using a non stick baking tray, line the base with a touch of sauce and meat, being careful not to pour it in or smother it.

15.Add a layer of fresh lasagna sheets, completely covering the base and not leaving any gaps.
16.Line the top of the pasta sheets with sauce and meat, this time using a generous amount and covering each one.

17.Add lots of cubes of both dry and fresh mozzarella, covering the sauce and getting into each corner.
18.Grate a generous amount of Parmigiano Reggiano over the top and then begin a new layer.
19.Start by lining up another set of lasagna sheets and repeat each step as above.
20.Once you grate the parmigiano over the top, add another set of lasagne sheets then smother it with the left over sauce and this time only add the dry mozzarella and grated Permigiano.

21.Cover the tray with alfoil and place it in the oven.
22.After it has been in the oven for 20 minutes, remove the foil carefully and let it cook for another 10 minutes uncovered so it becomes deliciously crispy on top.

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Vincenzo's Plate Tip! If you are using fresh lasagna pasta sheets, your cooking time may be a little bit less.

How to serve:

1.Get a flat white plate and carefully slice the lasagna down the middle and divide it into squares. Lift each piece out of the tray using something like a spade and help it slide off with a long knife.
2.Of course if you are crazy about parmesan cheese, you can grate even more on top of this beautiful Lasagna Recipe

E ora si mangia, Vincenzo's Plate...Enjoy!

Make this Lasagna Recipe for a dinner party with friends. I suggest you to start the meal with this beautiful Caprese Salad

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mozzarella-cheeseCheeselasagnaMeatsauce
The Best Lasagna Recipe Ever (2024)

FAQs

What to add to lasagna to make it taste better? ›

Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper. Lasagna noodles: Use store-bought or homemade lasagna noodles. Cheeses: Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese make this lasagna extra decadent.

What is better in lasagna, ricotta or cottage cheese? ›

I use both; cottage cheese is healthier and ricotta is creamier, so you get the best of both worlds by using both of these cheeses in your lasagna.

What not to do when making lasagna? ›

A well-made lasagna can be a delicious and satisfying meal, just as long as it's cooked correctly.
  1. Not cooking the noodles correctly. ...
  2. Not having all the ingredients ready. ...
  3. Not browning the meat. ...
  4. Using the wrong cheese. ...
  5. Skipping the dairy sauce. ...
  6. Skimping on the amount of marinara. ...
  7. Improperly layering the noodles.
Feb 21, 2023

What is the correct order to layer lasagna? ›

Quick Overview:
  1. The first thing that goes on the buttered tray is a layer of red sauce. This is so that nothing sticks to the bottom.
  2. After that, add a smaller layer of white sauce.
  3. Then finally a layer of pasta.
  4. Repeat the process: red sauce, white sauce, pasta.

Why add tomato paste to lasagna? ›

A good tomato paste helps to thicken but also adds a sweet and savory umami flavor. Lean Ground Beef: Lean beef adds a robust and hearty meatiness that's essential in a classic lasagna recipe.

How can I improve my lasagna? ›

7 Secrets for Making Better Lasagna
  1. Treat Your Pasta Right.
  2. Follow the Proper Method for Boiling Noodles.
  3. Decide on Ricotta.
  4. Consider Your Layering Strategy.
  5. Leave Top Sheet Overhangs for Crispy Magic.
  6. Err on the Side of Under-Baking.
  7. Make Extra Sauce for Serving.
Jul 21, 2022

What do Italians use instead of ricotta in lasagna? ›

Mascarpone: Another Italian cheese, mascarpone makes a great ricotta substitute. However, since mascarpone is more tart and flavorful, you should only use it in dishes with other strong flavors. It may overpower milder ingredients.

Why do you put egg in ricotta cheese for lasagna? ›

For extra creamy ricotta, add in an extra egg, a handful of grated parmesan, and a quarter cup of shredded mozzarella. Eggs help prevent the ricotta from drying out and serve to bind the ricotta so it doesn't become runny. One or more eggs are recommended whether you add the other ingredients mentioned here or not.

Why is ricotta in lasagna grainy? ›

As for texture, chalky, grainy ricottas are a sign that the milk was heated too hot or agitated too much during production, causing the proteins to tighten up into rubbery bundles.

Does lasagna cook better in glass or metal? ›

Some acidic bakes (like fruit cobblers) and lasagna or casserole (containing tomatoes, citrus, or other acidic fruit) may bake best in a glass dish, to prevent the metal from reacting to the acidic ingredients.

Is there a wrong way to make lasagna? ›

10 Most Common Lasagna Mistakes

There shouldn't be too much or too little filling. Too much between one layer and another will keep you from ever getting a perfect slice. Too little and all you'll taste is pasta. Do not put large pieces of vegetables or meat in lasagna for the same reason as above.

Is there a wrong way to layer lasagna? ›

Begin Layering

After the initial sauce layer, add a layer of pasta sheets, ricotta mixture (or bechamel), sauce, and cheese. Then repeat the layers. Top the last layer of your lasagna with sauce and cheese. You can also alternate layers of sauce and ricotta cheese.

Should you criss cross lasagna noodles? ›

(Do notice that I put the noodles criss cross – perpendicular from the layer below – it helps it to hold together when you serve it). So, the noodles directly on the cheese means there won't be enough for a top layer of noodles.

Do you bake lasagna covered or uncovered? ›

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

How many layers is too many for lasagna? ›

Generally, lasagna has about 3 or 4 layers of pasta, with sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, béchamel, and sometimes meat or even meatballs or sausage between those layers. Our many layer lasagna has around 12 layers of pasta, or even more depending on how thin you end up rolling the dough.

How do you level up your lasagna? ›

  1. Up the texture with chunky meat. Lasagne has evolved into a mince-based dish, but it can also be made using shredded, slow-cooked meat. ...
  2. Add pancetta or bacon. ...
  3. Don't be shy with the wine. ...
  4. Try a wild mushroom white sauce for added luxury. ...
  5. Use three types of cheese. ...
  6. Choose egg pasta sheets. ...
  7. Stop the slop (add less sauce)

How do you spice up bland lasagna? ›

Use vegetables like carrots, onions, and celery for flavor plus lots of garlic and herbs. If making a meat sauce, brown and season the ground meat before adding the tomatoes.

How do you make store bought lasagna better? ›

At that point you can add spices, add additional meat to the filling (e. g. browned ground beef or pork) grate some fresh mozzarella over the top, and put it back into the oven, uncovered, to finish it off. Put some olives, onions, and chopped tomatoes on top under another layer of cheese.

How to doctor up lasagna? ›

4 Tips to Spice Up Your Lasagna
  1. Mix in chopped veggies to your cheese, sauces or meat layers for added flavor. Think spinach, kale, peppers, onions, eggplant, zucchini, I can go on and on!
  2. Add some spice or herbs to try out different flavors. ...
  3. Swap the pasta layers for veggies! ...
  4. Switch up the protein!
Jul 29, 2019

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