Grandma Sellati'S Lasagne
A hearty, classic Italian lasagne layered with rich meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melted mozzarella, perfect for family dinners and special occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. lasagne noodles ⓘ
- 2 (6 oz.) cans tomato paste ⓘ
- 12 oz. tomato puree ⓘ
- 1 lb. ground beef or ground pork ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. grated Mozzarella ⓘ
- 1 lb. Ricotta cheese ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese ⓘ
- 2 eggs ⓘ
- oregano ⓘ
- 1/2 c. sugar ⓘ
- bay leaves
- salt ⓘ
- pepper ⓘ
- nutmeg ⓘ
- 1 small onion, chopped ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown the ground meat in a skillet.
- In a Dutch oven, combine tomato puree, tomato paste, sugar, bay leaf, salt, chopped onion, chopped garlic, pepper, and oregano to taste. Add water and heat until reaching desired consistency.
- Add the browned meat to the sauce.
- Refrigerate the assembled lasagne overnight for the best flavor.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the sauce while it simmers. You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. If you're short on time, use oven-ready lasagne noodles to skip the boiling step. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can enhance the dish's aroma and taste, making it even more delightful.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Grandma Sellati's Lasagne with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. A light vinaigrette pairs wonderfully, balancing the richness of the lasagne. Consider pairing with a glass of red wine, which complements the flavors beautifully. For a comforting twist, serve with a small bowl of Betty'S 'Love' Soup(Minestrone) as a starter.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover lasagne can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F for about 25-30 minutes, or until heated through. For quicker reheating, individual portions can be microwaved for 2-3 minutes, but be sure to cover them to retain moisture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Grandma Sellati'S Lasagne contains roughly 1570 calories, with 58g protein, 213g carbohydrates, and 71g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (297% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1231mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this lasagne ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assembling the lasagne a day ahead and refrigerating it overnight allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just be sure to bake it the next day, and it will have an even richer taste. You can also freeze the assembled lasagne for up to three months; just add extra baking time when cooking from frozen.
Can I use different cheeses in the lasagne?
Yes, feel free to mix and match cheeses! While Ricotta and Mozzarella are traditional, you can also use cottage cheese, fontina, or even goat cheese for a unique flavor. Just ensure the total amount of cheese remains similar for the best texture and taste.
How do I prevent the noodles from sticking together?
To prevent lasagne noodles from sticking, make sure to cook them in a large pot of salted boiling water and stir occasionally. Once drained, you can toss the noodles with a little olive oil. If using oven-ready noodles, ensure the sauce is sufficiently moist to properly cook the noodles during baking.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).