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lasagna like no other!

(5 ratings)
slawson avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Stacey Lawson
@slawson
New Orleans, LA

I love pasta and lasagna and I have tried many, many ways to do lasagna that doesn't fall apart and captures those incredible Italian flavors. Here is my version that I think is the best, like NO OTHER!

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Once you taste this lasagna recipe, you'll want it no other way. Since there are a lot of steps, this is may not be a recipe a beginner cook wants to tackle. But, this is restaurant quality lasagna at home. The seasoning in the meat sauce is perfect. Using semi-fresh basil adds a special flavor to the sauce. We think the ricotta sauce layer is what makes the recipe. It's different than the traditional ricotta found in lasagna. Once the layers are combined and the lasagna is baked, it's filled with plenty of gooey cheese. Slight labor of love to make, but the final result is worth every dirty dish.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(5 ratings)
yield 8 -10
prep time 30 Min
cook time 2 Hr 30 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For lasagna like no other!

  • MEAT SAUCE
  • 2 lb
    ground beef
  • 1 lg
    onion
  • 6 oz
    tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp
    granulated garlic or garlic powder
  • 3 clove
    garlic, chopped
  • 2 can
    canned, crushed tomatoes (14.5 oz each)
  • 2 can
    tomatoes, canned Italian-style and diced (14.5 oz each)
  • 1 Tbsp
    chopped basil (Garden Gourmet found in refrigerated section with fresh herbs)
  • 1 Tbsp
    chopped Italian seasoning (Garden Gourmet)
  • 2 Tbsp
    granulated sugar
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • RICOTTA SAUCE
  • 1/2 stick
    butter
  • 1/4 c
    all-purpose flour
  • 1 c
    milk
  • 2 lb
    ricotta cheese
  • 1 Tbsp
    granulated garlic
  • 1 Tbsp
    dried basil
  • 1/2 c
    Parmesan cheese, grated
  • salt/pepper to taste
  • LASAGNA ASSEMBLY
  • 1 lb
    lasagna noodles, cooked
  • 2 lb
    mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 c
    Parmesan cheese, grated

How To Make lasagna like no other!

  • Browning ground beef in a Dutch oven.
    1
    In a large pot, brown ground beef. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add one tablespoon of granulated garlic. Drain meat if necessary.
  • Adding onion and garlic to the browned beef.
    2
    Add onions and chopped garlic. Cook for a couple of minutes.
  • Cans of tomato and tomato paste added to the Dutch oven.
    3
    Add both cans of tomatoes and tomato paste. Mix into meat and onion mixture. Cook for a minute.
  • Basil, Italian seasoning, and sugar added to the pot.
    4
    Add basil, Italian seasoning, and sugar. Stir.
  • Adding water to the pot.
    5
    At this point, you may need to add about 14 ounces of water. Also, you may want to add more sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Tomatoes will vary and more seasonings may be necessary. Let is simmer for about an hour while you prepare the other ingredients.
  • Melted butter and flour in a skillet.
    6
    For ricotta sauce, in a large pan, melt butter. Add flour. Make sure all the flour is absorbed into the butter.
  • Cooking the flour and butter.
    7
    Cook for two minutes.
  • Adding milk to the butter/flour.
    8
    Add milk and whisk together. Bring up to a low simmer.
  • Adding ricotta cheese to the skillet.
    9
    Add ricotta cheese and whisk together.
  • Whisking in seasonings.
    10
    Add garlic, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Whisk and bring up to a simmer. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Cooked noodles on a baking sheet.
    11
    To assemble the lasagna, cook noodles to the point of being pliable yet firm.
  • A layer of noodles in a baking dish.
    12
    Lay noodles in a pan. You may have to cut to fit your pan. If so, alternate the end where you put cut noodles.
  • A layer of ricotta cheese on top of the lasagna noodles.
    13
    Spoon ricotta cheese mixture over noodles and spread evenly.
  • Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top of the ricotta.
    14
    Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
  • Meat sauce spread on top of the noodles.
    15
    Then a little meat sauce. Repeat this step. I can usually fit three layers. Save a little meat sauce for the top.
  • Another layer of noodles in the lasagna.
    16
    Top the lasagna with a layer of noodles.
  • More sauce and cheese added on top of the noodles.
    17
    Then top the noodles with a little meat sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  • Lasagna baking in the oven.
    18
    Bake at 350 for approximately one hour. I recommend placing a pan beneath your lasagna in case it bubbles over.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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