Lasagna

Submitted by MichaelC



A classic

Ingredients

 * Ragú
 * ground beef (optional)
 * sweet and hot italian sausage (optional)


 * lasagna pasta - traditional long flat pasta that requires soaking or the Barilla brand type that does not require any preparation. Which ever you use is up to you.


 * 1 egg
 * mozzarella - shredded
 * parmesan - shredded or grated
 * nutmeg - grated
 * parsley
 * ricotta - Need enough to fill a layer in the pan 32oz for a 9x13 or 10x14

Cooking Tools

 * deep baking pan
 * ladle
 * mixing bowl
 * wooden spoon
 * foil
 * cheese grater and shredder

Preparation
Make your Ragú. If I have the time, I can make it all at the same time. If not, it's often easiest to prepare the sauce the day before and refrigerate overnight. Often times, these kinds of sauces actually taste better next day.

Pasta Prep

Soak lasagna pasta. The lasagne need to be soaked in hot water for about 15 minutes.

If you use the Barilla brand lasagna, these do not require soaking nor boiling. I've found them to be convenient and easy to use, even in a large pan. If you have a pan slightly large than 9x13 you might need a little more than one box of the Barilla. I have a 10x14 pan, so to get adequate overlapping and coverage I use a little more than one box.

Ricotta Prep

Into a bowl add the ricotta and chopped parsely. Grate the nutmeg over the top. Stir/fold it together. Then add the egg and continue to fold it until it becomes a somewhat smooth mix.

Directions


Ladle some sauce along the bottom of the pan. use enough to generously coat the bottom.

If you used the standard pasta, remove from water wiping the water off each before laying it down in the pan. Overlap each pasta.

If you use the Barilla, simply begin laying them down. Overlap each pasta.


 * Spread the ricotta across the pasta. Be as generous as you like. if you have enough for the upper layer, then use it there. If not, then use it all on this layer.
 * Sprinkle mozarella atop ricotta.
 * Sprinkle parmesan atop mozarella

Ladle some sauce along atop the parmesan.

Lay down the next layer of noodles


 * If you have any left, spread the remaining ricotta over the layer of pasta.
 * Sprinkle mozarella atop ricotta.
 * Sprinkle parmesan atop mozarella

Ladle some sauce along atop the parmesan.

Lay down the last layer of noodles. This is the top layer.


 * This time Ladle sauce atop the pasta.
 * Next sprinkle mozarella and parmesan, whatever you have left.




 * Cover with foil
 * Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes
 * Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 25-30 minutes.
 * If you use a small pan, you can use 375 degree heat for about 45-55 minutes. Just check it in that time frame.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for approximately 15 minutes.