Craving a hearty, soul-satisfying meal that’s both delicious and surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This Soul Food Lasagna recipe puts a comforting, flavorful spin on the classic lasagna, blending familiar Italian techniques with the rich heartiness of Southern cuisine. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this homemade masterpiece, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. It's one of those easy recipes that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen, making it a true winner for busy weeknights.
Ingredients:
This recipe serves 6-8 people. Adjust quantities accordingly for larger or smaller groups.
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For the meat sauce:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork (optional, for extra richness)
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
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For the cheese filling:
- 15 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
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Other Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles (oven-ready preferred)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
Get started on 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.
Brown the meat: Add ground beef and pork (if using) to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
Simmer the sauce: Add bell peppers, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, brown sugar, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper to the pot. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour for a richer flavor. This is a great time to start preparing the cheese filling!
Prepare the cheese filling: In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, egg, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Assemble 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. Top with a layer of lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping if necessary. Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles, followed by half of the remaining meat sauce and a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, mozzarella. Finish with a final layer of noodles, the remaining meat sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
Bake the lasagna: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Let stand for 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Soul Food Lasagna:
- For extra flavor: Sauté some chopped mushrooms or zucchini with the onions and garlic.
- Make it ahead: Assemble the lasagna up to a day in advance and bake when ready. Cover and refrigerate until baking. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Oven-ready noodles: Using oven-ready lasagna noodles simplifies the process and eliminates pre-boiling.
Variations:
- Vegetarian: Omit the ground meats and add 1 cup of cooked lentils or crumbled vegetarian sausage for protein.
- Spicy: Increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Cheesy: Add a layer of provolone or pepper jack cheese along with the mozzarella.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 Protein: 25-30g Fat: 20-25g Carbohydrates: 40-50g
This Soul Food Lasagna recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that's perfect for a family dinner or a potluck. Enjoy the comforting flavors and the ease of making this quick dinner idea at home. It's a great way to showcase your homemade cooking skills, creating a truly memorable meal. This recipe is among the best recipes for its satisfying flavors and relative simplicity!