HOW TO PREPARE LASAGNA.

Here’s a basic recipe for lasagna:

Ingredients:

9-12 lasagna noodles
2 cups ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg
1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or a mix of both)
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
2 tsp olive oil
1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Instructions:

Prep the Noodles: Cook the lasagna noodles according to package directions until they are al dente. Drain and lay them flat on a clean kitchen towel to avoid sticking.

Prepare the Meat Sauce:
a. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
b. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent.
c. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
d. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned.
e. Drain excess fat, if needed.
f. Pour in the marinara sauce, mix well, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt, pepper, and optional herbs to taste. Remove from heat.

Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
a. In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the Parmesan cheese, egg, and chopped basil or parsley. Mix until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Assemble the Lasagna:
a. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
b. Spread a small amount of meat sauce at the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
c. Lay 3-4 lasagna noodles on top.
d. Spread a layer of the cheese mixture over the noodles.
e. Add a layer of meat sauce on top of the cheese mixture.
f. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of meat sauce on top.
g. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake:
a. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
b. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
c. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
d. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to brown the top, but watch closely to avoid burning.

Serve: Let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes before cutting into it. This helps the layers set and makes serving easier. Serve with garlic bread or a green salad on the side.

Enjoy your homemade lasagna!