Craving a hearty, comforting meal that tastes like a warm hug? Look no further than this incredible Carmine's NYC Lasagna recipe! Inspired by the legendary New York City restaurant known for its family-style portions and mouthwatering Italian cuisine, this recipe brings the magic of Little Italy right to your kitchen. Forget those flimsy, pre-made lasagna trays; this homemade version is bursting with flavor, layers of cheesy goodness, and enough to feed a crowd (or enjoy leftovers for days!). Get ready for a delicious journey into the heart of Italian cooking!
Ingredients:
This recipe makes a generous lasagna, perfect for sharing!
- Meat Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 6 ounces tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cheese Filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Assembly:
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready preferred)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Making the Meat Sauce:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot. Brown the meat, breaking it up with a spoon, until cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for at least 30 minutes, or longer for a richer flavor. The longer it simmers, the better it tastes!
Preparing the Cheese Filling:
- In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
Assembling the Lasagna:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Top with half of the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese.
- Repeat layers: noodles, ricotta cheese, meat sauce, mozzarella cheese.
- Top with the final layer of noodles and the remaining meat sauce. Cover with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Baking the Lasagna:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let the lasagna rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the lasagna to set and makes it easier to serve.
Tips for Lasagna Perfection:
- Use oven-ready lasagna noodles: This saves you the step of pre-cooking the noodles.
- Don't overfill the layers: This can prevent the lasagna from baking evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasonings: Adjust the amount of herbs and spices to your liking.
- Make it ahead: The lasagna can be assembled a day ahead and baked the next day.
Variations:
- Vegetarian Lasagna: Omit the meat and add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or eggplant to the sauce.
- Spicy Lasagna: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the meat sauce.
- White Lasagna: Use a creamy béchamel sauce instead of meat sauce and layer with ricotta cheese and spinach.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 500-600
- Protein: 25-30g
- Fat: 25-30g
- Carbohydrates: 50-60g
This Carmine's inspired lasagna is a true crowd-pleaser. It's perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to serve a delicious and satisfying meal. Enjoy!