Italian Baked Lasagna Recipe

If you think lasagna has to be heavy think again. This is a light easy, make ahead recipe that is sure to please everyone.

Lasagna is not a dish, but a type of pasta. What Americans think of as "lasagna" is Lasagne al Forno (baked lasagna). A good Italian lasagna is not heavy, it's light and there are many flavors to savor, not just a heavy meat sauce. Below is the lasagna food recipe I use for my family and very frequently when entertaining. It can be made ahead of time and frozen if you're pressed for time. Note that the lasagna is topped with a version of a béchamel sauce -- the best part

Lasagne al Forno

Baked Lasagna food

Ingredients
Tomato sauce:

* 1/2 pound lean beef
* 1/2 pound lean pork
* 2 mild Italian sausages, casings removed
* 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
* 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
* 2 oz. salt pork diced (you can use a good quality bacon
* 2 medium onions, chopped
* 2 medium carrots, chopped fine
* 2 stalks celery, chopped fine
* 1 Tbs butter
* 1 large can peeled plum tomatoes
* 2 Tbs tomato paste

Directions

1. Cook salt pork and butter in a large skillet until it just begins to brown.
2. Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic.
3. Cook until celery is just tender.
4. Remove mixture to a separate bowl.
5. Using the same skillet, brown beef, pork, and sausage.
6. Add carrot/onion mixture to meat.
7. Add tomatoes, paste, and parsley. Cook for a few minutes then taste and add salt and pepper.

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