Aunt Gina's Lasagna
Aunt Gina's Lasagna is an authentic recipe for lasagna that's perfect for family dinners, special occasions, holiday get-togethers, and potlucks. It's made with homemade lasagna strips, a zesty marinara sauce, ground beef, and a blend of Italian cheeses. Each component of this lasagna is handmade, just like they used to make it in the old country. While this recipe takes a while to make, it'll be worth the effort once you take a bite. Plus, you really don't need that many ingredients to put this together. If you want a traditional Italian recipe to serve to those special to you, make this baked pasta. Tip: Though everything is handmade in this recipe, you could easily adapt this to use shortcuts if you're in a hurry. Instead of homemade pasta dough, you could use no-boil lasagna sheets that are oven-ready. You could also use jarred marinara sauce instead of making your own. While homemade always tastes better, the alternative is just as good and gets dinner on the table in half the time!
Serves8
Cooking Vessel Size11 x 15 inch baking dish
Ingredients
- For the pasta dough:
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 4 to 8 ounces tepid water, as needed
- For the salsa marinara:
- 1 (36-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 5 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 onion, coarsely chopped
- Olive oil
- Salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste
- For the lasagna:
- 1 pound pasta dough
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, pork, or mixture)
- 16 ounces mozzarella, shredded
- 16 ounces grated cheese (parmigiano and pecorino)
Instructions
-
For the pasta dough:
-
Place flour on a wooden board, make a well and break the eggs into it. If you prefer, you can mix it in a bowl with a fork or in an electric mixer with a dough hook.
-
Slowly incorporate the flour into the eggs. There should be just enough moisture so the ingredients stick together to form a smooth, elastic ball but not enough to stick to the table or bowl. You may need to add a bit of water if the dough is too dry and crumbly, or a bit more flour if too wet and sticky.
-
Cover the dough with a clean towel and let it set for about 30 minutes.
-
Use a sharp knife to cut off a chunk from the ball. Flatten the chunk of dough with the heel of your hand then roll it out to the desired thickness with a floured rolling pin.
-
For the salsa marinara:
-
Saute garlic, onion and red pepper in olive oil. Remove them from the oil before they brown.
-
Add tomatoes and simmer for about 40 minutes. Stir often to avoid sticking, especially if the pot youre using does not have a heavy bottom.
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After 15 minutes add salt and pepper to taste.
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After another 30 minutes, check sauce for consistency; if too watery, leave lid off to reduce.
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For the lasagna:
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
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Brown ground meat in a fry pan then drain off the fat. Place salsa marinara in a sauce pan, stir in browned meat, and heat gently over a medium flame until its hot. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking.
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Meanwhile, roll pasta dough to desired thickness and cut into 2 1/2-inch wide strips.
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Spoon hot meat sauce into the bottom of the baking dish.
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Place a single layer of lasagna strips into the baking dish, lengthwise. Layer with grated cheese and mozzarella, then top with meat sauce.
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Repeat these steps for the second layer but place lasagna strips widthwise. Alternating the direction of the pasta strips will keep your lasagna from falling apart when its cut.
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Repeat to make as many layers as you like. Finish by spooning more sauce on top and sprinkle with grated cheese.
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Bake for 45 minutes or until sauce and cheese are bubbling. Remove lasagna from the oven and let rest for 30 minutes before serving.
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check 9255
Dec 22, 2020
how about some cooking/baking directions. i have to google the directions to find out how to cook!!!!!!! please help
frm1mom2another
Dec 08, 2014
I am saving printing this recipe out. I have never made a homemade lasagna but with this recipe I am trying it out for supper tonight. Thanks for sharing!
Member 2596266
Dec 05, 2014
My family wouldn't let me make this for the holidays ("we must stick with tradition!") but this would make a great in-between meal.
Bayoubaebae 255727 7
Dec 03, 2014
Reminds me of home back in Northeast. Living in New Orleans I wait every year for a crisp chill in the air,perfect lasagna weather! Gonna make yours this weekend.thanks
sgbrock 1382862
Dec 03, 2014
I've always bought my lasagna, but this looks like something I'd like to try.
kspaletto 1199546
Dec 03, 2014
Have never made my own pasta but this recipe might inspire me to do so.
lgardner678 341224 3
Dec 03, 2014
WHAT CAN I SAY! I LOVE ALL TYPES OF CHEESES AND CHEESE IS WHAT MAKES THE LASAGNA STAND OUT, GREAT RECIPE.
atomickev 5828384
Dec 03, 2014
This caught my eye the presentation of this dish made my mouth water, I diffently will make this,thanks for your receipes.
vaelliott60 203958 5
Dec 02, 2014
I am very picky on my lasagna but this looks yummy. Love the idea of the hot pepper flakes...will have to make this real SOON.
dancingcelt 208067 5
Dec 02, 2014
Definitely worth the effort (though I'm sure it's good even with shortcuts). I like to add some extra veggies.
jbardsley 8691601
Dec 02, 2014
I love mozzarella cheese. I make lasagna every few months The sauce looks like it would be great will try it next time I make lasagna.
lindab18 1287117
Dec 02, 2014
This sounds like a really good recipe to make. My family loves Lasagna and really love the flavors used in it. Can't wait to try it!
mommadear69 146402 7
Dec 02, 2014
i love colby and jack , and i love lasagne so ill have to make this for christmas, thank you
fmd518 1498859
Dec 02, 2014
Always like trying new lasagna recipes I will add this into rotation .
kathypease 3125496
Dec 02, 2014
This looks awesome..My favorite kind of cheese is mozzarella )
jdmisfitranch 7226 711
Dec 02, 2014
Thank you for this. I have been searching for a recipe for lasgna. )
rickpeggysmith 779 5073
Dec 02, 2014
Never knew how easy it was to make your own noodles. My family and I love lasagna and I have to try this recipe. It really sounds delicious.
lilbittypanda 7241 000
Dec 02, 2014
Wow, inexpensive and easy! I will have to make this for dinner one night. I would make it for the holidays but I know my husband wants a ham. This will be dinner for sure one night this month!
princessanyaibe 06 03519
Dec 02, 2014
It may look like a lot, but this actually looks SUPER EASY! I don't normally eat lasagna, but this looks really good. )
apoalillo 3515644
Dec 02, 2014
Very good basic lasagna, wish I had the guts to make my own noodles like this.
Member 2877858
Dec 02, 2014
Sounds wonderful. I love that you could use shortcuts if yuo wanted to speed up the recipe time.
cylis9archive 2185 560
Dec 02, 2014
I am going to try this on for Christmas Eve, but might sub out pre-made noodles to save a little time.
donnajacoby2014 23 67263
Dec 02, 2014
I'm always looking for new recipes and this one sounds good. Thank you for sharing!
barbamuller 357484 6
Dec 02, 2014
This hearty lasagna recipe is the perfect comfort food.....wow what a special meal for the family!
TheresaJenkins
Dec 02, 2014
this family will eat anything with 'Lasagna' in the name, so this is something I will be trying
jmikebalou 3061110
Dec 02, 2014
This looks good but I would add some sausage for my family and of course I have some that dont eat meat so I would have to make a separate dish for them. I would say there is no favorite cheese depends on what you are eating or cooking
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