Giada's Classic Italian Lasagna


4.7 of 5 (9)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 16
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 416.5
  • Total Fat: 26.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 108.9 mg
  • Sodium: 660.1 mg
  • Total Carbs: 19.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 1.4 g
  • Protein: 25.3 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Giada's Classic Italian Lasagna calories by ingredient


Introduction

A slightly lighter version of Giada's recipe, with the oil and butter reduced, and the classic Bechamel sauce made with nonfat milk. A slightly lighter version of Giada's recipe, with the oil and butter reduced, and the classic Bechamel sauce made with nonfat milk.
Number of Servings: 16

Ingredients

    15 lasagna noodles
    1 Tbsp canola oil
    salt
    1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    1 lb ground beef
    2 1/2 c Bechamel Sauce (recipe below)
    1 (28 oz.) jar Marinara sauce
    1 1/2 lb. whole milk ricotta cheese
    2 large eggs
    3 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
    1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese

    Bechamel-
    3 Tbsp butter, unsalted
    3 Tbsp all purpose flour
    2 1/2 c nonfat milk
    1/2 tsp salt

    In a medium sauce pan, over med-high heat, melt butter and whisk in flour, stirring until lightly browned.
    Slowly add in milk, apx. 1/2 cup at a time, stirring each addition until thickened and bubbly.
    Simmer, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick, smooth and creamy but NOT boiling - about 10 minutes.
    Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of salt, pepper to taste and if desired, a pinch of nutmeg.

Directions

Cook lasagna noodles in large pot of boiling water with salt and 1 tbsp of canola oil (to keep noodles from sticking) for 6-7 minutes. Drain and rinse with COLD water to remove excess starch and lay out on a damp towel.

In a large saute' pan, heat olive oil on med-high. Add ground beef, salt and pepper, and saute until browned, breaking up large clumps. Remove from heat, drain excess fat and let cool completely.

Preheat oven to 375 and make sure rack is in center position of oven.

In a medium bowl, mix the bechamel and marinara sauces to blend - add salt and pepper to taste.

In another medium bowl, mix ricotta, eggs, and salt and pepper to taste. (You can also add fresh minced garlic, basil and other seasonings if desired.) Stir in 1/3 - 1/2 of mozzarella as well, mixing well.

In a 13 x 9 baking dish, spoon 1/3 of Bechamel/marinara mixture over the bottom of the dish. Arrange 5 noodles atop the sauce, overlapping slightly and completely covering the bottom of the dish.
Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
Arrange 5 more noodles, top with ground beef, and 1/3 sauce, and sprinkle with 1/2 c shredded cheese.
Top with remaining 5 noodles, then rest of sauce, and mozzarella, and Parmesan.
(At this point, lasagna can be covered and refrigerated for next day's use, or baked immediately)

Line a large, heavy baking dish with foil. Place baking dish on the sheet and bake until heated through and bubbly. (apx. 45 minutes)

Number of Servings: 16

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user CALEKU.

Member Ratings For This Recipe


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    Incredible!
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    I lightened this up even further using part skim ricotta and mozzerella. - 3/5/09


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    I like this as it stands...I made no changes at all...... - 9/22/19


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    Tasty lasagna! - 9/3/19


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    So good................. - 9/21/18


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    Does need to be lightened up a bit so I use the skim ricotta and mozzerella cheeses. This is also a large recipe for 2 people. 16 servings only when having company. But love lasagna. - 9/21/18