16 Traditional Southern Italian Lasagna Recipe Elevate Your Taste Buds!

Ingredients

For the Lasagna Sheets:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Meat Sauce:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 lb ground pork
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine
• 2 cans crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cheese Filling:

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembly:

• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Making your own lasagna sheets may seem daunting, but trust us, it's worth it. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the beaten eggs and water. Using your hands or a fork, gradually mix in the flour until a dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat sauce. In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and pork and cook until browned. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened. Pour in the red wine and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, oregano, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper and let the sauce simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally.

In a separate bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil for the cheese filling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Now it's time to assemble the lasagna. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out the dough into thin sheets, about 1/8 inch thick. Cut into rectangles that will fit your baking dish. Spread a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the dish. Place a layer of lasagna sheets on top, followed by a layer of meat sauce, and then a layer of cheese filling. Repeat until all ingredients are used up, ending with a layer of meat sauce on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy this traditional southern Italian lasagna with your loved ones and create your own family memories with this delicious dish.