Melissa's Authentic Italian Lasagna


Ingredients

Sauce

2 T olive oil
1 medium onion
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 carrot, grated (approx 1 Cup)
1 zucchini, grated (1 Cup)
1 yellow squash, grated (1 Cup)
(mushrooms or any other veggie you would like to throw in)
2 28 oz. cans tomatoes, crushed or diced
2 Knorr chicken bullion cubes (or 4 of the cheaper brands)
a couple pinches of red pepper flakes (can substitute with Tabasco, or anything to give it a kick…)
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste
1 package fresh basil, sliced - to be added at the very end

Béchamel Sauce
½ C butter
½ C flour
2 C half & half
Nutmeg to taste (the secret ingredient!)

Other Key Ingredients

1 8 oz package thinly sliced cooked ham
1 package lasagna noodles (about 15 noodles)
2 lb. mozzarella cheese, grated
parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1 – Let’s get saucy!

Cook onions in olive oil until translucent.  Add garlic and cook for another minute or two.  Add all grated vegetables and bring to a light boil.  Add tomatoes and other sauce ingredients (except basil!)  Let simmer for at least 20 minutes (the longer the better, we’re talking hours here!)  Add fresh basil after removing from heat.

Step 2 – Béchamel Time

Melt butter in microwave.  Add flour and half & half.  Cook in microwave for about five minutes, stirring every two minutes until thick.  Add nutmeg to taste.

 Step 3 –

Shrek:  Ogres are like onions.
Donkey: They both smell?
Shrek: NO! They have LAYERS.

In a 9 x 13” pan, place a small amount of sauce.  Add one layer of noodles.  Cover with sauce.  Layer ham slices.  Spread about half of béchamel sauce, sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese.  Add more noodles and do the same thing again.  For the final layer, dump on the sauce.  Be sure to put on enough to fill in all the cracks.  Then sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.

 Step 4 – Heat it up!

Cook covered (with foil) at 350 degrees for about an hour.  You know the lasagna is done when the fork goes in easily, but so it’s smushy.  Yes, smushy is a technical cooking term.

 Serves about 12 people and freezes great.  You can also make the sauce ahead of time.

Source: Melissa Everett

Comments