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Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna

Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna
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Famous Three-Cheese Lasagna is a hearty and irresistible dish featuring layers of pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a harmonious blend of mozzarella, ricotta, and parmesan cheeses. Perfectly balanced in flavor and texture, this comforting classic is easy to prepare, customizable, and a family favorite ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Lasagna Noodles

  • No-boil or traditional lasagna noodles (quantity as needed for layering)

Cheeses

  • Ricotta cheese – creamy and smooth (about 15 oz)
  • Mozzarella cheese – shredded (about 2 cups, divided)
  • Parmesan cheese – grated (about 1 cup)
  • Optional: 1 beaten egg (for mixing with cheeses)

Sauce and Aromatics

  • Tomato sauce – rich, well-seasoned marinara or homemade (about 4 cups)
  • Olive oil (2 tbsp, for sautéing)
  • Garlic – finely chopped (3 cloves)
  • Onion – finely chopped (1 medium)
  • Fresh herbs (basil, oregano – about 2 tbsp each, chopped)

Protein (Optional)

  • Ground beef or turkey – browned (about 1 lb)

Instructions

  1. Preparing the sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté finely chopped garlic and onion until translucent. Add ground beef or turkey if using, cooking until browned. Stir in tomato sauce and fresh herbs, then simmer gently to let all the flavors meld.
  2. Mixing the cheese filling: In a bowl, combine ricotta cheese with grated parmesan and half of the shredded mozzarella. Optionally add a beaten egg and a pinch of salt, stirring until smooth and well incorporated.
  3. Layering the lasagna: Spread a spoonful of sauce along the bottom of your baking dish. Lay down the first layer of lasagna noodles, spread a generous amount of the cheese mixture atop the noodles, then add more sauce. Repeat the layers and finish with a top layer of sauce sprinkled with remaining mozzarella.
  4. Baking: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is golden and bubbling.
  5. Resting before serving: Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes after baking to allow the layers to set, making it easier to cut and enhancing the flavors.

Notes

  • Use no-boil noodles to save time and ensure noodles absorb sauce perfectly during baking.
  • Use low-moisture mozzarella to prevent watery lasagna and ensure great melt.
  • Balance the sauce consistency so it is thick enough to hold layers but not too thick to dry out.
  • Fresh herbs like basil or oregano add vibrant, fresh flavors superior to dried herbs.
  • Allow the lasagna to rest before cutting to maintain neat portions and prevent it from falling apart.

Nutrition

Keywords: three-cheese lasagna, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, Italian lasagna, comfort food, baked pasta, family dinner

Find it online: https://marybaking.com/famous-three-cheese-lasagna/