World’s Best Lasagna

Lasagna is a timeless dish that has graced countless dinner tables, bringing families together with its comforting layers of rich meat sauce, tender pasta, and gooey cheese. Among the myriad of lasagna recipes out there, one stands out as a true masterpiece: the “World’s Best Lasagna” by John Chandler. This recipe has achieved legendary status on Allrecipes, having been a beloved favorite for over two decades. With millions of views and rave reviews from home cooks around the globe, it’s no wonder that this lasagna has earned its name.

John Chandler’s creation is a testament to the beauty of classic Italian-American cuisine. It strikes a perfect balance between hearty and indulgent, with a sauce that’s slow-simmered to perfection, combining sweet Italian sausage, lean ground beef, and a trio of tomato products for depth and richness. The addition of fresh herbs and spices elevates the flavors, while three types of cheese—Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta—add a creamy, decadent texture that melts beautifully in the oven.

Full Recipe:

Detailed Ingredient Guide

Each ingredient in this lasagna recipe plays a crucial role in creating the final masterpiece. Let’s break down why each component is essential:

1. Meat:
   • Sweet Italian Sausage: The sweet Italian sausage brings a savory yet slightly sweet flavor that adds depth to the sauce. The seasonings within the sausage, such as fennel and garlic, enhance the overall taste profile.
   • Lean Ground Beef: The lean ground beef provides a hearty base, offering a balanced richness without making the dish too greasy. The combination of beef and sausage creates a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
2. Aromatics:
   • Onion: Onions are sautéed with the meat, releasing their natural sweetness and enhancing the overall savory flavor of the sauce.
   • Garlic: Garlic adds a robust, aromatic depth to the sauce, complementing the tomatoes and meat.
3. Tomato Base:
   • Crushed Tomatoes: These provide a slightly chunky texture and robust tomato flavor, forming the backbone of the sauce.
   • Tomato Sauce: The smooth tomato sauce helps to bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive and rich sauce.
   • Tomato Paste: Tomato paste intensifies the tomato flavor and thickens the sauce, ensuring that it doesn’t become too watery.
   • White Sugar: Just a touch of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, ensuring a well-rounded and flavorful sauce.
4. Seasonings:
   • Fresh Parsley: Parsley adds a fresh, vibrant flavor to the ricotta mixture and the sauce, brightening up the dish.
   • Dried Basil: Basil is a classic Italian herb that brings a sweet, aromatic note to the sauce.
   • Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and is critical for seasoning the meat and sauce.
   • Italian Seasoning: This blend of herbs typically includes oregano, thyme, and marjoram, providing a complex herbal flavor that’s quintessential in Italian cooking.
   • Fennel Seeds: These add a subtle licorice-like flavor that complements the Italian sausage and enhances the overall complexity of the sauce.
   • Ground Black Pepper: Adds just the right amount of heat and sharpness, balancing the richness of the meat and cheese.
5. Lasagna Noodles:
   • Cooked al dente, these noodles provide structure to the lasagna, holding the layers of sauce and cheese together. The slight firmness of al dente noodles ensures that they maintain their texture even after baking.
6. Cheeses:
   • Ricotta Cheese: Ricotta adds a creamy, slightly sweet layer to the lasagna, providing a contrast to the savory meat sauce. It’s mixed with an egg to help it set during baking, ensuring that it stays firm and doesn’t ooze out when the lasagna is cut.
   • Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully, creating gooey, cheesy layers throughout the lasagna. It also forms a golden, bubbly crust on top.
   • Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor, which is perfect for sprinkling over the top layer to create a crisp, flavorful finish.

Step-by-Step Assembly and Baking Process

The success of this lasagna lies not only in its ingredients but also in the careful layering and baking process:

1. Making the Sauce:
   • Begin by cooking the sausage, ground beef, onion, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat until the meat is well browned. Drain any excess fat to keep the sauce from becoming greasy.
   • Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce, followed by water to thin the sauce slightly. Add the sugar, basil, fennel seeds, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and parsley. Simmer the sauce on low heat for about 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. This slow simmering allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken beautifully.
2. Preparing the Noodles:
   • While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes, or until they are al dente. Rinse the noodles under cold water and set them aside on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
3. Mixing the Ricotta:
   • In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese with an egg and remaining parsley. This mixture will add creaminess and help bind the layers together.
4. Assembling the Lasagna:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Begin by spreading 1½ cups of the meat sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking to the bottom.
   • Lay down 6 lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the ricotta mixture. Spread the ricotta evenly over the noodles, then layer on a third of the mozzarella slices.
   • Add another layer of meat sauce over the mozzarella, followed by a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
   • Repeat the layers: noodles, ricotta mixture, mozzarella, meat sauce, and Parmesan.
   • Top the final layer with the remaining mozzarella and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
5. Baking:
   • Cover the dish with foil, ensuring that the foil does not touch the cheese to avoid sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
   • After 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
   • Once done, remove the lasagna from the oven and let it rest for at least 15 minutes before cutting. This rest period allows the lasagna to set, making it easier to cut and serve.

Serving Suggestions

Lasagna is a hearty dish, but pairing it with the right sides can elevate your meal. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• Garlic Bread: Crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, garlic bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce on your plate.
• Caesar Salad: A crisp Caesar salad with a tangy dressing and Parmesan complements the rich flavors of the lasagna.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus add a healthy, flavorful side that balances the richness of the lasagna.

Storing and Reheating

Lasagna is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day. Here’s how to store and reheat it:

1. Refrigerating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
2. Freezing: If you want to freeze the lasagna, it’s best to assemble it in a disposable foil pan. Once cooled, wrap the entire dish tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.
3. Reheating: For best results, reheat lasagna in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), cover the lasagna with foil, and bake until heated through (about 30 minutes). If reheating from frozen, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Conclusion

The “World’s Best Lasagna” is a timeless recipe that has brought joy to countless dinner tables. Its rich, hearty layers of meat, cheese, and perfectly seasoned tomato sauce make it a dish that’s worth every minute of preparation. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or simply enjoying a cozy night in, this lasagna is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.