Authentic Italian Comfort Lasagna
Delve into the heart of Italian cuisine with this Authentic Italian Comfort Lasagna, a layered delight that brings together rich flavors and creamy textures. With a luscious béchamel sauce, hearty meat filling, and rich ricotta, this dish is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. Serve it with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal that will impress your loved ones. Make it a tradition to share this classic recipe, bringing warmth to every occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
Unsalted Butter
5 tablespoons (melted)
Butter
2 tablespoons (chopped into cubes)
All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup (none)
Whole Milk
4 cups (at room temperature)
Freshly Grated Nutmeg
1 pinch (none)
Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 cups (homemade, recipe below)
Salt
to taste (none)
White Pepper
to taste (none)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 cup (for cooking meat)
Ground Chuck
1 lb (browned and seasoned)
Ricotta Cheese
1 1/2 lbs (mixed with eggs)
Large Eggs
3 (beaten)
Lasagna Sheets
1 lb (cooked al dente)
Frozen Chopped Spinach
20 ounces (thawed and squeezed dry)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3 cups (none)
Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (none)
Small Onion
1 (chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 (chopped)
Celery Stalk
1 (chopped)
Carrot
1 (chopped)
Sea Salt
to taste (none)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
to taste (none)
Crushed Tomatoes
64 ounces (canned)
Dried Bay Leaves
2 (none)
Unsalted Butter
optional, 4 tablespoons (to balance sauce acidity)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Italian Comfort Lasagna?
It is a layered pasta dish featuring rich flavors, creamy textures, a luscious béchamel sauce, hearty meat filling, and ricotta cheese.
What are the primary sauces used in this lasagna?
This recipe uses a combination of a creamy béchamel sauce and a hearty tomato-based meat sauce.
How much ground chuck is required for the meat filling?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of ground chuck, which should be browned and seasoned.
What ingredients are needed for the béchamel sauce?
The béchamel is made using 5 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 4 cups of room temperature whole milk, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg.
How much ricotta cheese is used in this recipe?
You will need 1 1/2 lbs of ricotta cheese, which is mixed with eggs before layering.
Why are eggs added to the ricotta cheese?
Three large beaten eggs are mixed into the ricotta to help bind the cheese and provide a stable structure for the layers.
How much lasagna pasta do I need?
The recipe requires 1 lb of lasagna sheets, which should be cooked al dente.
Does this lasagna include spinach?
Yes, it includes 20 ounces of frozen chopped spinach that must be thawed and squeezed dry.
What type of mozzarella is best for this dish?
The recipe specifies 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese for creamy, melted layers.
Is Parmesan cheese included in the recipe?
Yes, 1/4 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is used for added depth of flavor.
What vegetables are used in the tomato sauce base?
The sauce includes a chopped small onion, two garlic cloves, one celery stalk, and one carrot.
How much crushed tomatoes are needed for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 64 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes.
What herbs and spices season the tomato sauce?
The sauce is seasoned with sea salt, fresh ground black pepper, and two dried bay leaves.
How can I balance the acidity of the tomato sauce?
The recipe suggests adding an optional 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter to balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
What type of milk is recommended for the béchamel?
Whole milk at room temperature is recommended for the creamiest results.
What oil should be used for cooking the meat?
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil is used for cooking and browning the ground chuck.
How is the butter used besides in the béchamel?
In addition to the béchamel, 2 tablespoons of butter chopped into cubes are used in the recipe.
How much homemade tomato sauce is used for layering?
The recipe specifies using 1 1/2 cups of tomato sauce specifically for the layering process.
What type of pepper is used in the white sauce?
White pepper is used to season the béchamel sauce to maintain its clean, white appearance.
Is the nutmeg in the recipe fresh?
Yes, a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg is recommended for the best flavor profile.
What are the recommended side dishes for this lasagna?
It is best served with a fresh side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
Two chopped garlic cloves are used to flavor the sauce.
Can I use frozen spinach directly?
The spinach must be thawed and squeezed dry before being added to the lasagna to prevent excess moisture.
Is sea salt used in this recipe?
Yes, sea salt is used to taste for seasoning the sauce and meat.
What makes this a 'Comfort Lasagna'?
The combination of homemade béchamel, rich meat sauce, and abundant cheese creates a hearty, traditional feel.
How much flour is in the roux?
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour is used to create the roux for the béchamel sauce.
What type of tomatoes are used?
The recipe specifically requires 64 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes.
How should the onion, celery, and carrot be prepared?
The onion, celery stalk, and carrot should all be finely chopped before cooking.
What is the role of the bay leaves?
Two dried bay leaves are simmered with the tomatoes to infuse the sauce with herbal notes.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, its rich flavor and hearty portions make it a perfect dish for family gatherings and special occasions.