Lasagne is one of those timeless Italian dishes that are always a hit – with layers of flavourful sauce, creamy cheese and delicious pasta, it’s hard not to enjoy it. While buying ready-made lasagne sheets and sauces is certainly an option, there is something special about homemade lasagne. With a little time and effort, you can make a lasagne that will please even the most discerning taste buds. Let’s take a look at how to make your own lasagne at home, along with some delicious variations on this classic dish.
Homemade lasagne
Ingredients
- Lasagne sheets (fresh or dried)
- 500 g minced meat (beef, pork, chicken or a combination of your choice)
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 800 g tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 250 g ricotta cheese
- 250 g mozzarella cheese, grated
- 50 g Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and fry until softened and lightly browned.
- Add the minced meat to the pan and fry until fully cooked.
- Pour the tomato sauce into the pan with the minced meat and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes to allow the flavours to mix well.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Take a baking dish and cover the bottom with a thin layer of the meat sauce.
- Place a layer of lasagne sheets on top of the sauce and top with a layer of ricotta cheese.
- Repeat the layers of sauce, lasagne sheets and ricotta until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of sauce on top.
- Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the lasagne.
- Bake the lasagne in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove the lasagne from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.
Variations on lasagne
- Vegetarian lasagne: Replace the minced meat with grilled vegetables such as courgette, aubergine, peppers and mushrooms. Also add spinach for extra flavour and nutrients.
- Seafood lasagne: Make a seafood sauce with prawns, mussels and pieces of fish. Add some white wine to the sauce for extra flavour.
- Lasagne with pesto: Add a layer of pesto between the sauce and cheese for a delicious twist. Make your own pesto with basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese and olive oil, or use ready-made pesto.
- Mexican lasagne: Instead of traditional Italian spices, use spices like cumin, chilli powder and paprika for a spicy Mexican flavour. Also add black beans, corn and jalapeños to the meat sauce.
With these recipes and variations, you can experiment endlessly and enjoy delicious homemade lasagne. Whether you make the classic version or try one of the variations, the result will always be a tasty and satisfying meal. Buon Appetito!
