Zesty Lasagna

Recipe Ingredients

		Meat Sauce
2 tablespoons	30ml	Olive oil
1 cup	62g / 2.2oz	Finely-chopped onion
1 cup	110g / 3.9oz	Finely-chopped carrot
1 cup	110g / 3.9oz	Finely-chopped celery
2 tablespoons	30ml	Minced garlic
1 lb	454g / 16oz	Ground beef
1		Plum tomatoes - (28 oz) - crushed, with
		Their juices
1/2 cup	118ml	Defatted chicken broth
1/3 cup	78ml	Tomato paste
2 teaspoons	10ml	Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon	5ml	Tabasco sauce
1/2 cup	73g / 2.6oz	Chopped parsley
1/2 cup	73g / 2.6oz	Chopped basil
1 1/2 teaspoons	7.5ml	Sugar
1 teaspoon	5ml	Chili powder
1 teaspoon	5ml	Dried oregano
1 teaspoon	5ml	Dried basil
1/4 teaspoon	1.3ml	Ground nutmeg
		Salt - to taste
		Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
		Béchamel Sauce
4 tablespoons	60ml	Unsalted butter
1/4 cup	15g / 0.5oz	All-purpose flour
2 cups	474ml	Milk - scalded
1/8 teaspoon	0.6ml	Ground nutmeg
		Salt - to taste
		Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
		Lasagna
3 1/2 cups	511g / 18oz	Ricotta cheese
1/4 cup	36g / 1.3oz	Coarsely chopped basil
2 tablespoons	30ml	Chopped parsley
1 tablespoon	15ml	Dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon	3.8ml	Ground nutmeg
8		Cooked lasagna noodles - (to 10)
2 cups	292g / 10oz	Grated mozzarella cheese

Recipe Instructions

Prepare the Meat Sauce: Heat oil in a pot over low heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic; cook, stirring, 8 minutes. Add beef; brown over medium heat, about 10 minutes. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients. Simmer over low heat, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Prepare the Bechamel Sauce: Melt butter over low heat, whisking in flour; cook for about 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly add milk, whisking until smooth. Continue whisking until thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Combine the ricotta, basil, parsley, oregano, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Stir well.

Place 2 cups of the meat sauce in a 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking dish. Top with half the noodles, followed by half the ricotta mixture, 2 cups meat sauce, 1 cup bechamel and 1 cup mozzarella. Repeat with remaining ingredients in the same order.

Cover the dish with foil; bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil; bake for 15 minutes or until the mozzarella is melted and bubbly. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

This recipe yields 8 servings.

Per serving: 745 calories, 56g carbohydrates, 40g protein, 40g fat, 132mg cholesterol.

Source:
Simply Delicious by Sheila Lukins from Parade magazine - Pub date: - 04-16-2000

Rating

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10 (1 votes)

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