Lasagna with Meat Sauce

I thought I would continue the pasta theme and post one of my favorite recipes. We all love lasagna in our family. I used the meat sauce from yesterdays post. The dish was even quicker to make than usual since most of the work was done.  I usually eliminate the ricotta but I decided to add it to this dish. I added tons of flavor including parsley, cheese and garlic.

All in all, it was a delicious lasagna…

Meat Sauce

• ¼ cup pancetta, chopped
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 medium shallots, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 pound ground turkey or pork
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 to 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 3 cups fresh or store bought tomato sauce
• Salt

Add the pancetta and olive oil in a large frying pan. Cook on medium high heat for 3 to 4 minutes until the pancetta pieces start to get golden brown. Add the shallots and garlic. Saute on medium high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the meat and separate with a wooden spoon while stirring for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and sauté for a minute. Add the tomato sauce and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer covered for 20 to 30 minutes. Keep aside.

• 1 cup fresh ricotta cheese
• ½ cup parsley
• 3 garlic cloves
• ½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt

Add the parsley and garlic in a small food processor until chopped fine. Add the mixture to the ricotta cheese. Mix in the cheese and salt. Keep aside.

Béchamel Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon salt

Whisk the butter and flour in a small bowl over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Slowly add the milk while whisking, making sure no lumps form. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes till the sauce is thickened. Add the nutmeg and salt and mix well. Let cool and keep aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

• 9 X 13 lasagna pan
• Lasagna noodles
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese plus ½ cup for top

Assemble the lasagna by spreading a ¼ cup of meat sauce at the bottom of the pan. Add a layer of noodles. Add some meat sauce. Spread some ricotta cheese. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top. Repeat the process and finish with a layer of lasagna noodles. Add the béchamel sauce on top and the shredded cheese. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 15 minutes till golden brown and bubbly. Serve hot.