Lasagne (pronounced “lahz-nay”) is one of Italy’s most beloved dishes, but it can also be intimidating to attempt if you’ve never made it before.
This san giorgio lasagna recipe will help alleviate your fears by giving you step-by-step instructions on how to make this classic Italian pasta dish.
As an added bonus, we’ll even give you a few ideas on where to find some great deals on lasagna pans!
What Is The Origin Of Lasagna?
The exact origins of lasagna are unknown, but there are several theories as to its origins.
Some say that lasagna was invented as far back as Roman times while others believe that it originated during World War II when American troops were stationed in northern Italy.
Regardless of which theory is true, the end result has always been delicious lasagna—and now you have the opportunity to recreate it at home!
What Are The Traditional Ingredients In Lasagna?
When creating authentic lasagna, the first thing you need to consider is what type of noodles you want to use.
The two most commonly used types are fresh egg noodles and dried spaghetti.
Fresh egg noodles are typically found in supermarkets or specialty stores that sell Italian foods.
They come pre-cooked so all you have to do is add sauce and cheese.
Dried spaghetti comes already cooked and requires only boiling water.
Both options work well for this recipe.
Once you decide on the noodle(s), you must then decide upon the meat filling.
Meat fillings range from simple tomato sauces to more elaborate combinations like chicken parmesan.
You may even opt for vegetarian versions using cheeses such as ricotta instead of ground beef.
You should also think about what kind of sauce you would like to serve alongside your lasagna.
There are many different varieties including béchamel, marinara, ragu, etc.
In addition, you might also want to include other ingredients such as garlic, herbs, olives, mushrooms, peppers, and onions.
All these components add additional layers of flavor to your lasagna and create a truly unique taste experience.
How Do You Make Lasagna?
To prepare a good lasagna, follow these steps:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to boil.Add dried pasta according to package directions. Cook until al dente, drain and rinse under cold running water. Set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in heavy skillet over medium heat. Once hot, cook half of each chopped onion, carrot, zucchini, green pepper, and red bell pepper until softened. Remove vegetables with slotted spoon and set aside.
4. Lightly grease bottom of 9×13 baking dish.
Layer 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese evenly across bottom of dish followed by a layer of 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
Next, spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly across top.
Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
Repeat layering process three more times.
Top last time with remaining mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes; remove cover and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
Let cool slightly before serving.
6. To assemble, cut into squares and serve immediately.
If desired, garnish with basil leaves.
7. For best results, let stand 15 minutes after assembling before cutting into individual servings.
Leftover portions can be refrigerated up to 4 days.
Reheat in microwave or toaster oven.
What Is The History Of Lasagna?
While the exact origin of lasagna remains unclear, historians speculate that the dish evolved out of ancient Roman cooking traditions.
During the height of her empire, Rome had a massive population of people who needed nourishment to survive.
As a way to feed them, Romans developed numerous ways to combine various meats, breads, and spices to create tasty meals.
One of their favorite methods was to take a variety of ingredients, season them, roll them into small balls, drop them into boiling water, and wait for them to become tender.
These little balls became known as gnocchi.
Over time, they were combined with eggs, milk, and cheese to form lasagnas.
What Are Some Popular Lasagna Recipes?
There are countless variations of lasagna, but here are just a handful of our favorites.
Chicken Parmesan Lasagna: This cheesy version includes diced chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, and homemade pasta sauce.
Cheese Ravioli Lasagna: Instead of noodles, this lasagna uses ravioli filled with a creamy béchamel flavored meat mixture.
Spaghetti Bolognese Lasagna: A hearty meat sauce topped with sliced beef, mushrooms, and tomatoes makes this a hearty meal fit for any occasion.
Vegetarian Mushroom Lasagna: Mushrooms and spinach provide a healthy twist to this classic dish.
Tortellini Lasagna: Tortellini (small pillows) stuffed with ricotta and spinach make this dish extra flavorful and easy to eat.
How Do You Choose The Right Lasagna Pan?
A great lasagna pan will ensure your lasagna turns out perfectly every single time.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing a pan:
Size – Choose a size similar to the amount of food you plan to put inside it.
Larger pans allow room for larger amounts of toppings and therefore require less cooking time.
Smaller pans provide adequate space for smaller quantities of ingredients and require longer cooking times.
Material – Select a material that won’t warp or crack easily.
Glass, porcelain, stoneware, earthenware, enameled cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, clay, plastic, ceramic, copper, glass, and wood are all materials you could try.
Design – Consider aesthetics as well as functionality.
If you’re looking for something elegant, look no further than stoneware, earthenware, enameled cast iron, or stainless steel.
Ceramic, glass, and metal pans tend to be cheaper since they don’t require much maintenance once they are properly cleaned.
However, they are not recommended for high temperature applications due to possible warping.
Wood is a great option if you prefer rustic style.
Keep in mind that the thickness of the pan will affect both the timing and the quality of the finished product.
Thicker pans will generally need longer cooking times whereas thinner pans will require shorter cooking times.
When selecting a pan, remember that thicker pans will require more liquid (water or stock).
Thin pans have limited capacity because the moisture evaporates quickly.
What Are Some Tips For Making Perfect Lasagna?
If you want to guarantee a delicious lasagna every time, follow these guidelines:
Use a deep bowl.
Deep bowls hold more liquids than shallow ones.
Therefore, it will take less time to cook your lasagna.
Do not overcrowd your pan.
Too many pieces of food means too many empty spaces.
Empty spaces mean dryness.
Dryness causes the noodles to stick together and prevents them from absorbing sufficient liquid.
Do not overcook your lasagna.
Make sure your noodles are soft enough to handle yet still firm.
Also, avoid burning your noodles by adding more liquid to compensate for the loss of moisture.
Prevent lasagna from sticking to the pan.
Use a silicone spatula to scrape the edges of the pan frequently to release excess moisture.
Never place a greasy sheet of paper towel directly on the surface of your pan.
The oil from the paper towels will cause your lasagna to stick.
How Do You Prevent Lasagna From Sticking To The Pan?
One of the biggest challenges of making lasagna is preventing it from sticking to the pan.
The key to successful lasagna is proper preparation and attention to detail throughout the entire cooking process.
Follow these helpful tips to ensure your lasagna stays in one piece:
Select a non-stick pan.
Non-stick pans offer superior performance and easier cleanup.
Add a bit of flour to the bottom of the pan prior to placing your noodles.
Flour acts as an absorbent and helps prevent your noodles from sticking to the pan.
Always start preparing your ingredients before putting the pan in the oven.
Prepare all of your sauces and cheeses ahead of time.
After washing your hands thoroughly, pat dry with paper towels.
Then wipe down the sides of the lasagna pan with a damp cloth to remove any lingering grime.
Allow your lasagna to sit for 15 minutes after assembly before cutting into individual servings.
This gives the flavors time to develop.
Never let your lasagna touch anything wet.
Even tap drips will ruin your lasagna.
Clean your utensils and tools well between uses to reduce cross contamination.
Don’t forget to turn off the stove before cleaning the oven.
Do not leave the oven door open as steam builds up inside.
What Are Some Common Lasagna Mistakes?
Here are some things you shouldn’t worry about when attempting to make a perfect lasagna:
Using a wooden spoon to stir your lasagna
Equipment
- 1 Oven
- 1 Bowl
Ingredients
- 16 oz San Giorgio Lasagna
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 jar pasta sauce
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 cup2 mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- 9 lasagne noodles should be prepared according the guidelines on the package. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Brown the beef in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat; drain.
- To the skillet with the browned meat, add the pasta sauce and water. Simmer for about 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, combine the ricotta cheese, half the mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, the eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
- A 11 x 7-inch baking dish should have about 1 cup of meat sauce on the bottom.
- Place 3 lengthwise pieces of cooked pasta over the sauce, then top with 1 cup of the meat sauce.
- Over the meat sauce, spread the remaining cheese filling.
- Repeat the process of layering the cheese, sauce, and pasta.
- Add a layer of spaghetti on top, then the remaining sauce and mozzarella cheese. Wrap with foil.
- 45 minutes to bake.
- After removing the foil, bake for another 10 minutes, or until hot and bubbling. 10 minutes should pass before cutting.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.