Maggiano’s Lasagna

Lasagna is a beloved Italian dish known for its rich layers of flavor, combining pasta, meats, cheeses, and a robust tomato sauce. Maggiano’s Little Italy, a popular Italian-American restaurant, is famous for its comforting and indulgent lasagna. Their recipe features a perfectly balanced blend of savory meat sauce, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella, all baked between tender pasta sheets. This lasagna recipe aims to capture the essence of Maggiano’s lasagna, giving you the experience of an authentic Italian-American meal at home.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Maggiano’s Lasagna

Step 1: Making the Meat Sauce

Cook the Meats:
- In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the ground beef, ground pork, and Italian sausage. Cook the meats until browned, breaking them up into small pieces as they cook. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Once the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink, drain any excess fat from the pan.
Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
- In the same pan, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the cooked meat. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the Tomato Ingredients:
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Mix everything together until well combined.
Season the Sauce:
- Add the beef broth, sugar, Italian seasoning, dried basil, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the sauce simmer over low heat for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally to allow the flavors to meld together. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can add a bit more broth or water to achieve the desired consistency.
Taste and Adjust:
- After simmering, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt, pepper, or herbs according to your preference.
- Once the sauce is ready, remove it from the heat and set it aside.

Step 2: Preparing the Cheese Mixture

Mix the Ricotta Cheese:
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and fresh parsley.
- Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined. This cheesy layer will provide a creamy texture to the lasagna.

Step 3: Cooking the Lasagna Noodles

Boil the Noodles:
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente (firm to the bite).
- Be sure to salt the water generously to give the noodles extra flavor.
Drain and Rinse:
- Once the noodles are cooked, drain them in a colander and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Lay the noodles flat on a clean kitchen towel or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 4: Assembling the Lasagna

Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of olive oil or non-stick spray.
Layer the Meat Sauce:
- Start by spreading a thin layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking to the bottom of the pan and adds extra moisture to the dish.
First Layer of Noodles:
- Lay 3 cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, arranging them side by side, slightly overlapping if necessary.
Cheese Layer:
- Spread 1/3 of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Use a spatula to smooth it out.
Meat Sauce Layer:
- Spoon another layer of meat sauce over the ricotta cheese, using about 1/3 of the sauce.
Repeat the Layers:
- Repeat the process with two more layers: noodles, ricotta cheese mixture, and meat sauce.
- Finish with a final layer of lasagna noodles on top.
Top with Cheese:
- Spread the remaining meat sauce on top of the final layer of noodles.
- Sprinkle the top generously with the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.