How to Make the Perfect Classic Lasagna

Lasagna is a favorite Sunday dinner in my house. It has all of the ingredients that we love: noodles, sauce, and lots and lots of cheese.

This past weekend, my mom made a trip to a scrumptious Italian market and came home with their homemade ricotta and mozzarella/provolone cheese blend. When she purposed we make a Sunday dinner together using these wonderfully creamy cheeses, I did not hesitate.

Besides enjoying a delicious meal together, cooking with your mom for your family is such an enjoyable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.


Classic Lasagna Ingredients
1/2 lb. of ground beef
2 jars of favorite sauce (we love Ragu Organic or Classico Organic Tomato, Herbs & Spices)
1 lb of shredded mozzarella/ provolone mix cheese
1 lb of ricotta cheese
2 eggs
box of lasagna noodles
parsley
hot pepper flake 
salt and pepper
grated Parmesan cheese

Cook
1. Heat a large pot of water on the stove. Add plenty of salt to flavor the noodles and increase the boiling point  of the water. While your water is heating, start the sauce.

2. Brown ground beef in a medium size pot until cooked through (no pink). Drain any excess grease. Add your favorite sauce and season with black pepper, parsley, and red pepper flakes. Once the sauce comes to a boil, stir and turn to a low simmer.

3. By now, your water is probably boiling. Add the lasagna noodles and stir. Cook the noodles per package directions. It is fine for the noodles to be on the "al dente" side since you will later bake the lasagna in the oven.

4. While the noodles are cooking, you can make the cheese mixture. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with the mozzarella/provolone mixture.

5. In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and beat slightly. Add the eggs to the cheese mixture- mix well. Season the cheese mixture with parsley.

6. When the lasagna is done boiling, drain in a colander and rise with cool water. If you are not immediately assembling the lasagna, lay the noodles flat on a cookie sheet or plate.

Assemble

In a 13x9 inch pan (or large lasagna pan- I love the my All-Clad lasagna pan!), ladle enough sauce to cover the bottom. Layer the noodles length-wise to cover the sauce. Divide your cheese mixture in half and dollop over the noodles.

Try to smooth out the cheese slightly without disrupting the noodles and sauce.  Add a second layer of noodles and then generously ladle sauce over the noodles.

Layer noodles and again dollop the remaining cheese and spread evenly. Finish with a fourth layer of noodles and a generous helping of sauce. Sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Bake
Cover with foil and bake the lasagna for 40-55 minutes on 350 degrees F.

Let cool before cutting and serving. (I usually cannot wait to this step, but cooling does help the lasagna to keep its form rather than collapsing.)

I love this recipe so much. It has always been my go-to recipe for company because you really cannot mess it up and it is so easy to make!

Read More

Making the Perfect Homemade Pizza Dough

Making homemade pizza is one of my family's favorite weekend activities. It is an event- from the making of the dough, to the rolling of the crust and my young children love every minute of it! I have found they love anything they can be a part of!

Aside from the fun you may have together, making your own dough is delicious, healthier than take-out, and inexpensive. In the past, I have used bread flour, but this time I chose whole wheat flour, making the dough a healthier choice for my family.  If you cook and bake at all, you probably already have the flour, olive oil, and yeast in your pantry.

If you plan on making the dough and enjoying it all in the same day, choose a day when you have time to mix your dough and let it rise for 1  1/2 hours. I have also made homemade pizza dough in advance and then froze it (wrapped in wax paper and then in a freezer bag). If you choose to freeze your dough, transfer the frozen dough to the refrigerator the night before serving.

Homemade Pizza Dough 

(makes two 12-14 inch pizza crusts)

1 cup warm water (110 degrees to 115 degrees F)

1 packet of dry active yeast (2  1/4 teaspoons)

1  1/4 teaspoons sugar

3  1/4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour, plus more if needed

1  3/4 teaspoons kosher or Himalayan salt

1/4 cup olive oil, plus more if needed


Directions

1. Pour the warm water into a bowl. Sprinkle the yeast and sugar over the water and stir. Let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the yeast dissolves and swells.

Look at that yeast mixture!

2. Using a stand mixer, fit with the paddle attachment. On low, stir together 3 cups of flour and the salt.

3. Next, add the yeast mixture and the olive oil. Mix on low speed for 10 seconds.

4. Replace the paddle attachments with the dough hook. Knead the dough mixture of medium speed for about 3 minutes or until the dough is smooth. If the dough feels sticky, add the remaining flour (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dough is no longer sticky.

5. Now put the dough in an oiled bowl, flipping the dough over once so all sides are covered in oil. Cover with a kitchen towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1  1/2 hours.

6. Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down. Knead the dough by hand for a few minutes to release any air bubbles

7. Divide the dough into 2 potions- remember the recipe makes 2 pizza crusts.

8. Using flour so your dough does not stick, roll out to the perfect size crust.

Pizza Dough- Ready to Roll!

9. Last, top with your favorite sauce, cheese, and toppings of your choice.

The Perfect Crust

10. Bake at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.


Serve immediately and enjoy the homemade goodness!






.

Read More