Hannah’s assignment for their class’ fund-raising campaign was lasagna. They were going to put up booths where they would sell the goodies assigned to them. This was Thursday last week and even a week before that, she was hounding me to make preparations. The day before the event, we assembled the lasagna and baked it the next morning before Hannah went to school. Because this was to raise funds for the school’s Christmas charity activities, I decided to donate the two trays of lasagna.
When she got home from school in the afternoon, she told me her lasagna was sold-out. They priced each portion at PhP100 (~ $2.50). One hundred pesos for a hearty lasagna is cheap compared to the ones bought at fast food chains like Greenwich and Pizza Hut. But if bought at school, it’s quite pricey for kids. But Hanna said the kids loved my lasagna. She said there were even some who came back to buy a second serving.
Because the two trays were both brought to school, that left the family drooling. So, I needed to make one for us :D.
My go-to meaty lasagna recipe is not complicated to make (for lasagna recipes could get too complicated and expensive that it’s hard to keep everything in mind). For special occasions like my birthday :), I may use Emeril Lagasse’s recipe for instance (though the last time I made it, it wasn’t received well, not as much as this easy and simple recipe). I used to be intimidated by lasagna-making, having set in my mind that it was too complicated and tedious.
But not anymore. If I want to make it for ordinary after-school snack and gather the family around the table for some thanksgiving, love, and laughter – I stick to this recipe. It’s simple, I divide the work into three parts: meat sauce, cheese sauce, and the assembling.
You can make the meat sauce ahead of time, one or two days prior. I use a simple bolognese sauce that you can also use for spaghetti or other pasta noodles. With the cheese sauce, I may use three kinds of cheese: cheddar, mozzarella, and parmesan. But if you are trying to economize or maybe the budget is tight (specially for most Filipino families), you may just use cheddar cheese. Using a cheese sauce (or béchamel sauce) is more popular with kids and the uncomplicated Dad than a cheese layer with a combination of uncommon cheeses like ricotta.
Meaty Lasagna Recipe
Makes 1 9″ x 6 1/2″ tray lasagna
Ingredients:
For the meat sauce
500 grams lean ground beef 2 cups tomato sauce (I use Del Monte) 1/2 cup water 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 red onion, chopped 1 red bell pepper, diced 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon spanish paprika 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt or to taste 1/2 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepperFor the cheese sauce
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated 1/2 cup parmesan, shredded 1 250ml-pack Nestle cream 1/2 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg salt and pepper to taste 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
Tip:
For my Filipino readers, don’t be “turned off” by the use of dried herbs (some don’t stock these up in their cupboards). If you want to make pasta for the family on a regular basis, it’s good to stock up on dried herbs and spices. I have almost all kinds of dried herbs and spices and keep them all in one tray in the pantry. McCormick has a wide range of dried herbs and spices and are available in most supermarkets.
Preparing the meat sauce:
1. Pound together the dried rosemary, oregano, black pepper, and paprika.
2. In a large saucepan, sautee garlic, onion, and red bell pepper in oil. Add the beef and sautee making sure the clumps are broken down. Add the dried herbs mixture and stir. Add the water and simmer.
3. Add the tomato sauce. Stir and simmer until sauce thickens. Season with salt. Set aside.
While the meat sauce is simmering, you can prepare the pasta according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Preparing the cheese sauce:
1. In a small sauce pan over low heat, put the milk, cream, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and nutmeg. Stir gently. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the baby spinach if you’re using and stir. Remove from heat before the cheeses are totally melted. Set aside.
Assembling the lasagna:
I usually put a layer of pasta first but I’ve observed that it sticks to the pan. So, place a thin layer of the meat sauce first, then a layer of the pasta. Divide the meat sauce into three equal portions. Place 1/3 of the meat sauce over the pasta, spreading evenly. Pour 1/3 of the cheese sauce. Repeat the process until you have 3 layers of lasagna. Scatter all the shredded parmesan on top.
At this point, you can cover the assembled lasagna and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
Preheat over at 180C. Place the lasagna on a baking sheet and bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
This is the one with baby spinach.
This meaty lasagna recipe is hearty and filling, and veeeerrryyy scrumptious. The whole family loves it. But me, I had to curb my appetite and eat moderately. Otherwise, I would no longer fit into my “wheels”.
I might be linking up with these lovely blogs.
Live joy-fully!
