Ina Garten’s Lasagna (Easy Recipe)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 medium onion
- 2-4 garlic cloves
minced
- 1 1/2 pounds sweet or spicy Italian turkey sausage
remove casings
- 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
about 10 tablespoons
- 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley
chopped and divided
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
chopped
- 2 teaspoons salt
divided
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
divided
- 1/2 pound lasagna noodles
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 3-4 ounces creamy goat cheese
crumbled
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
plus 1/4 cup for sprinkling
- 1 egg
lightly beaten
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella
thinly sliced
Directions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (205°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- 2
In a medium-sized skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.
- 3
Add the chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes, until they're translucent. Then, add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- 4
Crumble the Italian sausage into the skillet. Brown the sausage for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking up any larger clumps. Cook until it’s no longer pink.
- 5
Next, add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, 2 tablespoons of parsley, and the basil. Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper into the mixture. Stir.
- 6
Let the sauce simmer, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. It will start to thicken.
- 7
While the sauce is simmering, fill a large bowl with hot water and soak the lasagna noodles. Let them soak for 20 minutes, stirring them occasionally, so they don’t stick. After 20 minutes, drain them and set them aside.
- 8
In a medium bowl, add the ricotta, goat cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, and the egg. Also, add the remaining salt and pepper. Use a rubber spatula to mix everything together. Set aside.
- 9
Ladle a third of the meat sauce into the prepared baking dish. Spread it evenly over the bottom of the dish.
- 10
Cover the sauce with half of the lasagna noodles, followed by half of the mozzarella slices. Then, add half of the ricotta mixture and another third of the meat sauce. Repeat until all the elements are finished, with the sauce being the last layer.
- 11
Take the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan and sprinkle it on top.
- 12
Put the lasagna in the oven and bake it for about 30 minutes. It’s ready when it’s hot, bubbly, and the cheese is golden brown. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- 13
Serve warm, and enjoy!
Ina Garten’s Lasagna (Easy Recipe)
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About this Recipe
Craving a comforting classic with a touch of sophistication? This easy Ina Garten’s Lasagna recipe delivers the kind of elegant, hearty meal that the Barefoot Contessa is famous for, perfect for Sunday dinner or a special gathering.
Why This Recipe Works
What truly sets this lasagna apart is its thoughtful blend of rich, savory flavors and textures. Instead of traditional ground beef, you’ll use sweet or spicy Italian turkey sausage, offering a lighter yet incredibly flavorful foundation. The secret to its signature creamy tang? A delightful combination of ricotta cheese and crumbled creamy goat cheese, which elevates the entire dish and makes it uniquely elegant. Fresh parsley and basil are woven throughout, ensuring a bright, herbaceous counterpoint to the rich tomato sauce.
What to Expect
Prepare for a lasagna that strikes the perfect balance between rustic comfort and refined taste. Each forkful offers tender lasagna noodles layered with a robust tomato sauce, bursting with the savory depth of Italian turkey sausage and aromatic garlic and onion. You'll savor the creamy, tangy goat cheese melting beautifully into the ricotta and Parmesan, all capped with a generous layer of fresh, bubbly mozzarella. This recipe is designed to be approachable, making a complex-tasting dish achievable for any home cook, resulting in a crowd-pleasing masterpiece.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe is a classic, you have a couple of options to make it your own. You can easily choose sweet Italian turkey sausage for a milder, more traditional flavor profile, or opt for spicy Italian turkey sausage if you prefer a bit of a kick. Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic from 2 to 4 cloves based on your preference for intensity. For a slightly less tangy profile, you could slightly reduce the amount of goat cheese, though it's a key flavor here.
Serving & Context
This generous lasagna yields 10 servings, making it ideal for family dinners, holiday gatherings, or simply when you want plenty of delicious leftovers. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette and some crusty bread to soak up every bit of that wonderful sauce.