Planning a large gathering? Lasagna is a crowd-pleaser, but scaling a recipe to feed 25 people requires careful planning. This recipe provides a detailed guide to making a delicious, impressive lasagna that serves a sizable group, ensuring everyone gets a generous portion.
Ingredients: A Feast Fit for 25
This recipe uses standard measurements and scales them up for a 25-serving lasagna. You might need to adjust slightly based on your specific baking dishes. It's best to use several 9x13 inch pans to ensure even cooking.
For the Meat Sauce:
- 6 lbs ground beef (or a mix of beef and Italian sausage)
- 3 large onions, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 (28 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 3 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
- 6 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
- 1 cup dry red wine
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
- 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
For the Cheese Filling:
- 5 lbs ricotta cheese
- 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 10 large eggs
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Lasagna Assembly:
- 25-30 lasagna noodles (oven-ready preferred, otherwise pre-cook according to package directions)
- 5 lbs mozzarella cheese, shredded
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Lasagna Mastery
This detailed process ensures a perfectly layered and evenly cooked lasagna.
1. Preparing the Meat Sauce: The Foundation of Flavor
- Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add ground beef (and sausage, if using) and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, red wine, basil, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The longer it simmers, the richer the flavor will be.
2. Creating the Creamy Ricotta Filling: A Textural Delight
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
3. Assembling the Lasagna: Layers of Perfection
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread a thin layer of meat sauce in the bottom of your prepared baking dish(es).
- Layer 3-4 lasagna noodles over the sauce.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles.
- Top with about 1/3 of the meat sauce.
- Repeat layers: noodles, ricotta, meat sauce.
- Finish with a final layer of noodles, followed by the remaining meat sauce.
- Sprinkle generously with shredded mozzarella cheese.
4. Baking to Perfection: Patience and Precision
- Cover the baking dish(es) with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the lasagna is heated through.
- Let the lasagna rest for at least 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows it to set and makes slicing easier.
Tips for Lasagna Success: Pro-Level Advice
- Prep Ahead: The meat sauce can be made a day or two in advance, enhancing the flavor.
- Even Cooking: Using multiple smaller pans ensures even cooking and prevents a raw center.
- No-Boil Noodles: Oven-ready noodles save time and effort, but follow package directions.
- Customize it: Add vegetables like mushrooms, peppers, or spinach to the meat sauce for extra flavor and nutrients.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
This comprehensive recipe empowers you to create a memorable lasagna for your large gathering. Remember to adjust ingredient quantities based on your specific needs and enjoy the process of creating this culinary masterpiece!
