Papa Roberto's Spinach Lasagna Recipe #357060
This is a combination of several recipes I've experimented with from different sources. I think I've finally perfected it. I think the fennel seed is critical, giving the sauce a unique flavor. Slowly cooking the sauce is key in my book. Take your time, and you won't regret it. I like my lasagna rich and a little more dense than typical so I skip any sort of egg mixture and I go light on the ricotta. I think spinach is a must for lasagna, and makes you feel less bad about eating it. There is really no need for a side dish here. Everything you need in life is in the lasagna!
3 hours | 2 hours prep
SERVES 8 -10
Pasta
- 1 lb lasagna noodle
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb Italian sausage, cut into small pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons basil
- 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons red chili pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 3 ounces ruby port
Spinach Filling
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 3 (16 ounce) bags spinach
Extra Cheese Layer for good measure
- 1 lb mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Directions:.
- Prepare the lasagna noodles according to package directions.
- Drain and set aside.
- Meat Sauce:.
- Use a Dutch oven or large heavy pot suitable for slow cooking.
- Brown the ground beef and sausage.
- Drain off the grease.
- Add the onion and garlic to the meat/sausage mixture.
- Sauté until onion is tender.
- Grind the fennel seed with mortar and pestle.
- Add the sugar, salt, basil, fennel seed, pepper, chili flakes, tomatoes and tomato paste.
- Stir well and simmer covered for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add port or other red wine and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
- Spinach Filling:.
- Steam spinach until very tender.
- Drain spinach and chop up very fine.
- Mix with mozzarella, parmesan and ricotta until well blended.
- Put Lasagna Together and Bake:.
- In the bottom of a very large baking pan, spread just enough of the meat mixture to cover the bottom.
- Layer as follows.
- Lasagna noodles, Spinach Filling, Meat Sauce, Light extra cheese layer.
- Repeat until pan is full.
- Make sure lasagna noodles overlap slightly and make sure you finish with mozzarella and a sprinkle of parmesan on top.
- Cover with foil.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for 25 additional minutes.
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5 stars