Italian-American Lasagna

What could possibly be more comforting than the smell of a tray of Italian-American style lasagna fresh from the oven?   Beneath the crispy, melty top lies layers upon layers of cheesy, saucy goodness.  A creamy ricotta and herb mixture is slathered between thin sheets of pasta, each of which is topped with mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, and a hearty meat ragu, culminating in one of the most beloved of all Italian-American baked pasta dishes.  

American Lasagna is a recognizable menu staple in many Italian eateries.  It is one that is pleasing to even the fussiest of eaters making it a dish that is sure to please a crowd. 

In fact, you will often find lasagna on the tables of many Italian-American families on holidays, such as Thanksgiving (served as the first course way before the turkey), Christmas, and Easter. 

It’s relatively simple to make, freezes well, and as I said, pleases even the pickiest and hungriest of crowds.

The great lasagna debate

This recipe is for the Italian-American style lasagna that I grew up eating and uses my recipe for meat sauce (the same one used in my Pasta al Forno recipe).  There are many variations of the dish, and the authentic Italian version, the one you’d be served in Italy, is quite different. 

The Italian version of this dish is often made with a Bolognese Ragu and a bechamel, which starts with a roux (milk and flour) and is flavored with a touch of nutmeg.  You will not find ricotta cheese in the authentic Italian recipe.   

And of course, there are so many variations of this dish that you’ve likely tried:  vegetable lasagna, seafood lasagna, and so on.   You can even roll up the noodles.  We did just that in this spinach lasagna rolls with white sauce recipe.  That’s a great one that I encourage you to try!

It is such an easy dish to manipulate and as always, I encourage you to not be afraid to put your own twist on it!  

How to make it

Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

1. Start by bringing a large pot of water to a boil.  Add 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and a drop (1/4 teaspoon) of olive oil.  While you’re waiting for the water to boil, begin making your mixture of 1 pound of ricotta (drained overnight), 1/4 cup of minced parsley, 1/4 cup of minced basil, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.  Mix until combined.
2. In a separate bowl, beat two eggs.  Once beaten, add them to the ricotta and herb mixture.

3. Once the water is boiling, add the lasagna noodles in small batches (unless you have a huge pot it will take a few batches) and cook until 1 minute less than al dente and remove them with a pasta spider or strainer.  Place them immediately into an ice water bath to stop them from cooking any further.
4. Lay the noodles out on parchment paper, or clean dish towels.
5. In a 9×13 (or 10×15) baking dish, place a drop of olive oil and wipe the bottom and the sides.  Then, add a thick layer of meat sauce to completely coat the bottom of the baking dish.  Note:  I am using the meat sauce from my Pasta al Forno recipe.  For a meatless version, you can use my easy marinara sauce recipe.
6. Place 6 lasagna noodles on the first level so they slightly overlap.  Spread a thick layer of the ricotta mixture onto the noodles.  

7. Then, layer 1/3 of the mozzarella, another thick layer of meat sauce, and finally 1/3 of the grated Pecorino Romano cheese.  Repeat this process over the next two layers.  
8. On the top layer, just add the sauce, mozzarella, and Pecorino Romano cheese.  There is no ricotta mixture on the top layer.  Cover with a lightly oiled tin foil cover.  Alternatively, you could cover with parchment paper first, then tin foil.  The oil/parchment paper is to prevent the cheese from sticking to the foil.  In the middle of the oven, bake the lasagna covered at 375f for 45 minutes.  Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes more until the side noodles are crispy and the cheese is bubbly.  Once the lasagna is done, it needs to sit for at least 30 minutes to allow it to settle, so factor that amount of time in when serving.  

What to serve with lasagna

Lasagna is a hearty meal, so you’d want to consider serving it alongside something light.  

When I make lasagna, I usually serve it with this Via Carota style green salad or sauteed broccoli rabe.

If you are making this lasagna for Thanksgiving (I see you my fellow New Yorkers), you might want to check out some of my Thanksgiving recipes, like my sage and onion stuffing or my sausage and apple stuffed acorn squash.

As far as drinks go, I say mix up a pitcher of moscato sangria, or pop open a nice full-bodied Chianti, Barbaresco, or Amarone, depending on your budget.  

More baked pasta recipes

• Baked penne with Italian sausage – Easy Italian sausage-based sauce with penne, ricotta, and mozzarella.
• Meatless baked ziti – Marinara, mozzarella, ricotta, and ziti are baked until bubbly.
• Baked rigatoni with meat sauce – Mozzarella and rigatoni are tossed with a hearty meat ragu.
• Spinach ricotta stuffed shells – Creamy ricotta and spinach stuffed shells with meat sauce.  
• Four cheese baked manicotti – Large tubes of pasta stuffed with 4 cheeses and baked to perfection.

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