Lasagna with fresh pasta recipe

Making lasagna with fresh pasta can be a delightful experience, offering a richness and flavor that dried pasta sometimes lacks. Here’s a recipe for making fresh pasta from scratch and using it to create a delicious lasagna:

Ingredients:

For the Fresh Pasta:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Lasagna:

• Fresh pasta sheets
• 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage (optional)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Making Fresh Pasta:

1. On a clean work surface, pour the flour and make a well in the center.
2. Crack the eggs into the well and add salt.
3. Using a fork, gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes at room temperature.

Rolling and Cutting the Pasta:

1. After resting, divide the dough into four equal portions.
2. Flatten one portion with a rolling pin and pass it through a pasta machine, starting at the widest setting.
3. Gradually decrease the thickness settings, passing the dough through each setting twice until you reach your desired thickness for lasagna sheets. Alternatively, roll out the dough with a rolling pin until it’s about 1/16-inch thick.
4. Cut the rolled-out dough into rectangular sheets to fit your lasagna dish. Dust lightly with flour to prevent sticking.

Preparing the Lasagna:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium heat until browned. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish.
4. Arrange a layer of fresh pasta sheets over the sauce.
5. Spread a layer of ricotta cheese over the pasta sheets, followed by a layer of meat mixture and a sprinkle of Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
6. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of pasta sheets on top.
7. Cover the lasagna with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Let the lasagna cool for a few minutes before slicing.
10. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired before serving.

Enjoy your homemade lasagna with fresh pasta!