Lasagna with Ricotta and Vegetables

Our first best ever lasagna that we baked together gives my husband and I a time to share, bond and work together!

Serves: 6

Equipment

Corning Ware Rectangular Lasagna Casserole Pan  (12" x 9.5" x 2.5 " approx.) or a baking dish

Ingredients

• 375 grams San Remo Lasagna Pasta Instant Family Pack 
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 piece onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 500 grams Australian Beef Mince (Note: 82% meat and 18% fat)
• 1 cup celery,  finely chopped
• 1 cup carrot, finely chopped
• 1 cup red capsicum, finely chopped
• 5 tablespoons Providore Italian Tomato Paste
• 2 x 400g canned Mutti Finely Chopped Tomatoes with basil
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup water
• 500 grams ricotta cheese
• 250 grams mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. For the meat sauce, melt butter in saucepan and sauté onion, garlic, celery, carrot and capsicum until soft.
3. Add beef mince and cook until brown. Add tomato paste and canned tomatoes. Season with sugar, salt, pepper to taste.
4. Add water and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes.
5. To assemble the lasagna, pour 3/4 cup hot meat sauce into base of lightly greased lasagna casserole pan (12" x 9.5" x 2.5 " approx.).
6. Place a layer of lasagna sheets on base of dish and cover with ¼ remaining meat sauce.
7. Spread ¼ of ricotta over the meat. Then sprinkle ¼ of mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano until 4 layers are created. Finish with the mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese layer.
8. Cover with foil and bake for 30-35 minutes. Remove the foil. Reduce the heat to 150°C and cook for a further 10 minutes or until cooked through (test if cooked by pricking with a fork).
9. Let it settle and cool a little for 10-20 minutes before serving. (Note: If you cut it too soon, the layers will be sloppy and it won't hold together at all.)
10. Serve warm.

Note: To avoid lasagna drying out, make sure there is enough sauce and while it’s baking, cover the top with foil, removing halfway through so the top can brown nicely!

Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

Mrs. Shirley Simmons