ITALIAN LASAGNA

Italian Lasagna

Is there anyone that doesn't love homemade Italian Lasagna?  Layer after layer of delicious tender goodness, and this so much better than anything you can get even at an Italian restaurant!  (I don't serve unlimited breadsticks, but we make a mean Garlic Parmesan Bread that everyone is even crazier about than breadsticks!)

​We've got a lot of love to celebrate this Valentine's Day - and this is a family favorite that everyone LOVES!

Homemade Italian Lasagna

This is a long post, with lots of photos, showing you step-by-step the tricks to creating the most flavorful lasagna you have ever had!

​If you have fresh herbs available, they will really take this Meat Sauce up to the next level, but you can also used dried herbs if that is easier or your garden isn't producing right now. 

​I tell my kiddos all the time that I'm posting the recipes and photos so that they can make sure and make my favorites when I'm too old to do so!  If you haven't started collecting your family favorite recipes yet, I hope that you are able to get your hands on all of your favorites before they are lost or forgotten...

Start with a hearty meat sauce loaded with rich tomato and fresh herbs...

Fresh ricotta cheese is blended with a blend of five Italian cheeses...

Starting at the bottom!

We love a saucy lasagna, but you can use less if you like.

Make sure to grate your own fresh mozzarella cheese...it really does make a difference!

Lay each layer of noodles in the opposite direction to keep the layers from sliding when you serve.

Dollops of fresh ricotta and shredded Italian cheeses - spread them carefully!

Top with a layer of fresh mozzarella and parmesan and this is ready to pop in the oven!

Seems like a lot of work, but it really doesn't take more than a couple of hours to make the sauce, get the cheeses grated, and lovingly build this lasagna layer by delicious layer!

​This recipe freezes well too, so if you have a special event coming up, you can make this a week or so ahead of time, cover with foil and freeze, and just bake it the day of your special dinner. 

Italian Lasagna

This recipe boasts seven different types of fresh cheese.  If you have a lot of leftover cheese in your fridge, this is a great way to use up some of that as well - I've been known to add in a little bit of shredded Colby Jack cheese too!  My honey was born in Wisconsin, and all cheeseheads LOVE a  good blend of fresh cheese!

​Once you pull this out of the oven, make sure to let it sit for at least ten minutes before you try to cut and serve.  For plating, it looks extra special if you put down a few basil or spinach leaves, top with a little drizzle of sauce, and then place your Italian Lasagna on top, sprinkled with some fresh chopped parsley before serving.

​Hope you and your family love this as much as we do!

Mama V's Italian Lasagna

Italian Lasagna