With the temps finally simmering down, there is nothing better than comfort food to ring in the new season. We’re so close to fall, which means we’re certainly falling for flavor. One of my favorite comfort food recipes is a two sauce lasagna. It’s been a huge hit with my family, and I love making it for my extended family, too.
It’s no secret that I’m extremely close to my family. Food is our love language for sure. Over the past two weeks, we have shared many meals together, gathered around the table. People brought food to my grandma’s house during our time of mourning, and it’s a wonderful sentiment to show love. But comfort food has always been a part of my family’s life. Sitting around the table together, feasting on favorite meals is how we bond. It’s where some of my fondest memories have taken place, at the table together. Because I grew up with that, it most certainly is something I want to pass on to my own family. Every day, we sit down at dinner, say grace, and break bread. It’s family time at its finest. I share my recipes with hopes that you can do the same with your family and friends. In a busy world, it’s important to take the time to savor the things that matter: your people. And if they’re anything like mine, they love to eat and be merry. This recipe will certainly do the job.
TWO SAUCE LASAGNA
WHAT YOU NEED:
- 1 package of oven-ready lasagna noodles
- 15 oz. container of part skim ricotta cheese
- 10 oz. frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese (divided)
- 2 eggs
- 1 pound of ground beef or turkey
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 jar (25 oz) of Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Marinara sauce
- 1 jar of Alfredo sauce
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Cook and drain one pound of ground beef or turkey in a large skillet. Add one can of diced tomatoes and the jar of Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade Marinara sauce. Bring to a boil and set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine one container of ricotta cheese, one package of thawed and drained chopped spinach, two cups of mozzerella cheese, 1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese, and two eggs. Mix together well.
4. In a 13×9 baking dish, spread about a cup and a half of the meat mixture on the bottom of the dish. Layer four lasagna noodles over the sauce. Top with half of the cheese mixture. Add half of the meat sauce on top of the cheese mixture. Repeat layering: lasagna, remaining cheese mixture and remaining meat mixture.
5. Top with the four remaining lasagna noodles. Spread the alfredo sauce evenly on the top layer. Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese.
6. Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.
7. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
8. Let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.
I am thrilled to have found the Mezzetta Napa Valley Homemade sauces. They offer six different versions, but I’m loving the Marinara, especially for this recipe. It’s definitely my new favorite and new go-to.
Here’s a little more info about the brand:
- Real Food. 100% hand-selected plum tomatoes. No added sugar. No paste. No shortcuts.
- Real Farmers. Committed to farming the highest quality ingredients, without compromise.
- Real Family. Family owned and operated for over 80 years.
- Real Recipe. Made in the Italian tradition from our Napa Valley kitchen.
- Real Good. Pull up a plate and taste the difference.
And because Mezzetta is awesome, they are offering you a chance to win your very own Perfect Pasta Night kit AND a $500 grocery gift card. Be sure to enter HERE.
Prizes include:
• Grand Prize (1): Perfect Pasta Night. Cooking kit includes: Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Dried Pasta + Apron + Grocery Tote + Chef’s Hat + Cheese Grater + Recipe Cards + $500 grocery gift card
• Runner Up Prizes (10): Six (6) Mezzetta® Napa Valley Homemade™ Pasta Sauces + Recipe Cards
All of the prizes are great, but how amazing would it be to win a $500 dollar grocery gift card? I hope you win! Good luck!
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this recipe with your family and friends. What’s your favorite comfort food?
FAQs
Lasagna. This Italian classic doesn't require as much explaining as the previous entry. Lasagna hits all the comfort food pleasure points: Pasta, meaty tomato sauce, melty cheese, a crisp layer of cheese on top, all coming together in a rich mouthful that will send you right to the couch after eating.
What to add to lasagna to make it taste better? ›
Sugar: Two tablespoons of white sugar add subtle sweetness and enhance the flavor of the sauce. Spices and seasonings: This lasagna recipe is flavored with fresh parsley, dried basil leaves, salt, Italian seasoning, fennel seeds, and black pepper.
Should lasagna be 2 or 3 layers? ›
Let me break it to you: If you want to make a lasagna, three layers just won't cut it! For the perfect lasagna, you need at least 4-5 layers to really enjoy all those mouth-watering flavors. And, here's a pro-tip: make sure to season each layer generously, but not too much.
What sauce goes on the bottom of lasagna? ›
Start by spreading a layer of your tomato-based sauce (either a plain tomato sauce or your pre-made ragù) on the bottom of your dish. Next, add a single layer of pasta sheets. Then, add a layer of white sauce, followed by another single layer of pasta sheets.
Can type 2 diabetics eat lasagna? ›
Italian: opt for thin-crust pizza or tomato-based pastas, and toppings for both can be vegetables and lean meat; avoid deep-pan or stuffed-crust pizzas, creamy pasta sauces (such as carbonara), lasagna, garlic bread and anything with cured meats like pepperoni.
What not to do when making lasagna? ›
A well-made lasagna can be a delicious and satisfying meal, just as long as it's cooked correctly.
- Not cooking the noodles correctly. ...
- Not having all the ingredients ready. ...
- Not browning the meat. ...
- Using the wrong cheese. ...
- Skipping the dairy sauce. ...
- Skimping on the amount of marinara. ...
- Improperly layering the noodles.
Why do you put milk in lasagna? ›
Milk. It tenderises the meat, to leave you with the most tender ragù.
Why add tomato paste to lasagna? ›
Its mild flavor works really well with the mozzarella. Tomato Sauce & Paste: An important component in lasagna. Choosing your favorite tomato sauce will guarantee that you'll love this recipe. A good tomato paste helps to thicken but also adds a sweet and savory umami flavor.
Should you criss cross lasagna noodles? ›
(Do notice that I put the noodles criss cross – perpendicular from the layer below – it helps it to hold together when you serve it). So, the noodles directly on the cheese means there won't be enough for a top layer of noodles.
Do you put white sauce on every layer of lasagna? ›
There's a lot of discussion around this topic in the lasagna recipe world, but generally most lasagna recipes start with a layer of red sauce, followed by a layer of white sauce, followed by a layer of pasta and cheese. Then you continue with this layering until you have completely filled your tray.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until cheese is golden brown, 5 to 10 more minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 minutes before cutting and serving.
Should lasagna sauce be thick or runny? ›
Remove from heat, add cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted. The Sauce should be thick but still easily pourable – the consistency of heavy cream (you need to be able to drizzle it over the Ragu when layering – see video). If it's too thick, add a splash of water or milk.
Is marinara sauce better than tomato sauce for lasagna? ›
Many recipes can accommodate either marinara or tomato sauce. For example, both tomato-based sauces can be used for pasta, but the heavier, more complex tomato sauce can overpower lighter, simpler dishes, while marinara is less ideal for smothering proteins or filling out lasagnas.
Is lasagna sauce the same as spaghetti sauce? ›
These thicker types of pasta are much better equipped to handle the chunky sauce. This is not to be confused with spaghetti sauce, which is often also used in lasagna. Spaghetti sauce, on the other hand, is a tomato-based sauce that's much thinner and usually served with spaghetti (surprise!).
Is pasta a comfort food? ›
Comfort to me is synonymous with a bowl of a saucy pasta. While these days bolognese is preferred, it doesn't need to be one that's labored over for hours. I would equally love a dish of noodles with a simple spoonful of jarred Rao's.
What is lasagna considered as? ›
As mentioned above, lasagne can actually be classified as a version of pasta (if the chef hasn't been too experimental with their recipe), so there are several similarities between the two, such as the use of the same dough.