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Classic Italian Lasagna (Giada De Laurentiis) Recipe

Classic Italian Lasagna (Giada De Laurentiis) Recipe

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Classic Italian Lasagna (Giada De Laurentiis)

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Ingredients:

Serving

5 tbsp unsalted butter , plus 2 tbsp for the lasagna
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups whole milk at room temperature
pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce , recipe follows
salt and white pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb ground chuck beef
salt and pepper
1 1/2 lb ricotta cheese
3 large eggs
1 lb lasagna sheets , cooked al dente
2 packages (10 oz each) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
3 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 (32-oz) cans crushed tomatoes
2 dried bay leaves
4 tbsp unsalted butter , optional

Directions:

Bechamel Sauce:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Bechamel sauce:
In a 2-quart pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. When butter has completely melted, add the flour and whisk until smooth, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent any lumps from forming. Continue to simmer and whisk over medium heat until the sauce is thick, smooth and creamy, about 10 minutes. The sauce should be thick enough to coat the back of wooden spoon. Remove from heat and add the nutmeg and tomato sauce. Stir until well combined and check for seasoning. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a saute pan, heat extra-virgin olive oil. When almost smoking, add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat, breaking any large lumps, until it is no longer pink. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
In a medium sized bowl, thoroughly mix the ricotta and eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Into the bottom of a 13 by 9-inch baking dish, spread 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the pasta sheets side by side, covering the bottom of the baking dish. Evenly spread a layer of all the ricotta mixture and then a layer of all the spinach. Arrange another layer of pasta sheets and spread all the ground beef on top. Sprinkle 1/2 the mozzarella cheese on top of the beef. Spread another 1/3 of the bechamel sauce. Arrange the final layer of pasta sheets and top with remaining bechamel, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter into 1/4-inch cubes and top lasagna.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place lasagna dish on top, cover and put on the middle rack of the oven and bake until top is bubbling, about 30 minutes. Remove cover and continue to bake for about 15 minutes.
Simple Tomato Sauce:
In a large casserole pot or Dutch over, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving Per 100 g

Amount Per 1 Serving
Calories	1109.16 Kcal (4644 kJ)
Calories from fat	657.56 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	73.06g	112%
Cholesterol	271.17mg	90%
Sodium	1970.23mg	82%
Potassium	1236.2mg	26%
Total Carbs	49.57g	17%
Sugars	19.39g	78%
Dietary Fiber	5.4g	22%
Protein	65.01g	130%
Vitamin C	20.5mg	34%
Vitamin A	0.4mg	14%
Iron	3.8mg	21%
Calcium	1176.8mg	118%

Amount Per 100 g
Calories	161.57 Kcal (676 kJ)
Calories from fat	95.79 Kcal
		% Daily Value*
Total Fat	10.64g	112%
Cholesterol	39.5mg	90%
Sodium	287mg	82%
Potassium	180.07mg	26%
Total Carbs	7.22g	17%
Sugars	2.83g	78%
Dietary Fiber	0.79g	22%
Protein	9.47g	130%
Vitamin C	3mg	34%
Vitamin A	0.1mg	14%
Iron	0.6mg	21%
Calcium	171.4mg	118%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Find out how many calories should you eat.

Tastes

salty
savory
bitter
sweet

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