Heavenly Wedding Lasagna
This Heavenly Wedding Lasagna is a cherished family recipe, made with love for my sister's special day. The secret lies in caramelizing the tomato paste, which infuses the dish with a rich, slow-cooked flavor reminiscent of traditional Italian kitchens. This lasagna features layers of savory mild Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and gooey mozzarella, perfectly balanced with aromatic herbs and spices. Ideal for small gatherings, this comforting dish is sure to impress your guests and leave them wanting more.
8-12 servings
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Mild Italian sausage
1 lb (casings removed)
Onion
1 large (diced)
Garlic
1-2 teaspoons (minced)
Tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can
Tomato sauce
14 ounces
Diced tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can
Basil
1 1/2 teaspoons
Marjoram
1/2 teaspoon
Sea salt
1 teaspoon
Sugar
1 teaspoon
Mozzarella cheese
1 lb (shredded)
Ricotta cheese
1 lb
Egg
1
Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (shaker can)
Parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Lasagna noodles
8 ounces
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the diced onion and sausage together until the meat is fully cooked. Drain excess fat, if necessary.
2
Add minced garlic and tomato paste to the skillet, cooking and stirring for about 5 minutes, or until the tomato paste has darkened in color and developed a rich flavor.
3
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), basil, marjoram, salt, and sugar. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
4
While the sauce simmers, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley in a mixing bowl; stir until smooth and well blended.
5
Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
6
To assemble the lasagna, spread a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Layer noodles over the sauce, followed by a portion of the ricotta mixture, then a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat these layers until all ingredients are used, making sure to end with a generous layer of sauce on top.
7
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the foil, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8
Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy the delightful flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Heavenly Wedding Lasagna?
It is a cherished family recipe originally created for the author's sister's wedding, featuring layers of sausage, creamy ricotta, and mozzarella.
What is the secret to this lasagna's flavor?
The secret lies in caramelizing the tomato paste for about 5 minutes, which provides a rich, slow-cooked Italian flavor.
What type of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of mild Italian sausage with the casings removed.
How should the onion and sausage be prepared?
Diced onion and sausage should be browned together in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is fully cooked.
How long should I cook the tomato paste?
Cook and stir the tomato paste and garlic for about 5 minutes until the paste darkens in color.
What ingredients make up the tomato sauce base?
The base includes tomato paste, tomato sauce, and a 28-ounce can of diced tomatoes with their juice.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer on low heat for about 15-20 minutes until it is slightly thickened.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of basil and 1/2 teaspoon of marjoram.
Why is sugar added to the sauce?
A teaspoon of sugar is added to help balance the flavors of the tomato-based sauce.
What is in the cheese filling mixture?
The filling consists of 1 pound of ricotta cheese, one egg, 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley.
How should the lasagna noodles be cooked?
Cook the 8 ounces of noodles according to package instructions until they are al dente.
What size baking dish is required?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How do you begin the layering process?
Start by spreading a thin layer of the sauce mixture on the bottom of the baking dish before adding the first layer of noodles.
What is the correct order of layers?
The order is sauce, noodles, ricotta mixture, and then mozzarella cheese, repeated until ingredients are used.
What should be the final layer on top?
The lasagna should end with a generous layer of sauce on top before baking.
What is the oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C).
How long does the lasagna bake while covered?
It should be covered with aluminum foil and baked for 1 1/2 hours.
Do I add more cheese after the initial bake?
Yes, after removing the foil, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese on top for the final baking stage.
How long is the uncovered baking time?
Bake it uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Why should the lasagna rest after baking?
Allowing it to rest for 10 minutes helps the layers set, making it easier to slice.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 8 to 12 servings.
How much mozzarella cheese is needed?
You will need 1 pound of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Can I use fresh garlic?
Yes, the recipe suggests 1-2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
What kind of salt is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1 teaspoon of sea salt.
What type of parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese from a shaker can.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
It is described as ideal for small gatherings but provides a generous amount for 8-12 people.
How much parsley is included?
The recipe uses 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley in the ricotta mixture.
Does the meat need to be drained?
Yes, you should drain the excess fat after browning the onion and sausage if necessary.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 16 ingredients in total, ranging from meats and cheeses to herbs and pasta.
What is the primary characteristic of this dish?
It is a comforting, gooey, and savory casserole-style pasta dish with aromatic herbs.