Comfort food, oh comfort food – few dishes rival the beloved Lasagna. For me, the mere mention of it, evokes feelings of warmth, coziness, and familiarity – a culinary hug. Taking you on a delicious detour from the conventional Lamb Lasagna, this ingenious method not only saves time, but also delivers on flavour and nourishment through the vibrant medley of veggies.
Lamb Lasagna Ingredients:
- Ground lamb
- Napoletana Sauce (found in the Pasta aisle)
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Fresh or frozen spinach
- Olive oil
- Ricotta cheese
- Garlic
- Lasagna sheets
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh or dried basil
- Salt and Pepper
Pro Tips for this Lasagna Recipe:
- Lamb Flavour Enhancement: For an extra layer of depth in your lamb sauce, consider sautéing finely chopped onions and garlic before adding the ground lamb. This will infuse the sauce with aromatic richness.
- Fresh Herbs: While dried herbs are great, if you have access to fresh oregano and basil, don’t hesitate to use them. Fresh herbs can add a burst of flavour that elevates the entire dish.
- Mushroom Magic: If you’re a fan of mushrooms, consider using a mix of different mushroom varieties like shiitake or porcini.
- Layer Balance: When layering your lamb lasagna, make sure to distribute the sauces, meat, and cheese evenly to achieve a well-balanced flavour in every bite.
- Rest Before Serving: Allow the lasagna to rest for about 10-15 minutes after taking it out of the oven before cutting into it. This helps the layers set and makes slicing and serving much easier.
Convenience Tips for this Lamb Lasagna recipe:
- Pre-Cook Lamb: You can cook the ground lamb in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This way, when you’re ready to assemble the lamb lasagna, you can simply reheat the lamb and proceed with the sauce.
- Pre-Washed Spinach: Opt for pre-washed and pre-chopped spinach to save time. Frozen chopped spinach can also be a convenient alternative, just make sure to thaw and drain it well.
- Ricotta Mix: You can prepare the spinach and ricotta mixture ahead of time and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble the lasagna.
- Make-Ahead: Lasagna often tastes even better the next day after the flavours have had time to meld. Consider making it a day in advance and reheating portions as needed.
- Freezing: This lamb lasagna can be made in larger batches and frozen in individual portions. Just make sure to wrap it well to prevent freezer burn.
- Customise: Don’t hesitate to personalise the recipe with your favourite veggies or cheeses. This recipe is versatile, and you can experiment with different ingredients to suit your preference.
Lamb Lasagna
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Taking you on a delicious detour from the conventional lasagna, this ingenious method not only saves time, but also delivers on flavour.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Lamb Sauce:
- 750g Ground lamb
- 600g Napoletana Sauce (found in the Pasta aisle)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Spinach & Mushroom Layer:
- 3 cups Fresh spinach, chopped or 600g frozen spinach, thawed
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 375g Ricotta cheese
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other Ingredients:
- Lasagna sheets
- 300g Grated mozzarella cheese
- 90g Grated parmesan cheese
- Handful of fresh basil or 2 tablespoons dried basil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 190°C
Lamb Sauce:
- In a large skillet, cook the ground lamb over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the Napoletana sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Spinach & Mushroom Layer:
- In another skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
- If using fresh spinach, add it to the skillet and sauté until wilted. If using frozen spinach, make sure it’s thoroughly thawed, and excess water is squeezed out. Add it to the skillet and sauté briefly.
- In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, ricotta cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
Assembly:
- In a 23×33 cm baking dish, spread a thin layer of the lamb sauce on the bottom.
- Place a layer of lasagna sheets over the sauce.
- Spread half of the spinach and ricotta mixture over the lasagna sheets.
- Sprinkle a third of the grated Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the spinach layer.
- Repeat the layers: lamb sauce, lasagna sheets, remaining spinach mixture, and another third of the cheeses.
- Add a final layer of lasagna sheets, top with the remaining lamb sauce, and sprinkle with the remaining cheeses.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the lasagna sheets are cooked through. (note 1)
- Allow the lasagna to rest for about 10-15 minutes after taking it out of the oven before cutting into it.
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves or dried basil before serving.
Notes
- Please note that cooking times and temperatures may vary, so keep an eye on the lasagna as it bakes.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 45
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Leave a Reply