Nonna Pia demonstrates a traditional method for creating homemade pasta dough using only flour and eggs before assembling the layers with beef and sauce. The pasta is boiled and cooled before being layered into a pan and baked.

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Nonna Pia’s Homemade Beef Lasagna

Ingredients

Fresh pasta dough

• 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour or Italian “00” flour
• 4 large eggs
• Extra flour for dusting

Beef sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
• 3 cups tomato passata or crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper
• Fresh basil, optional

For assembling

• 2 cups (500 g) ricotta cheese
• 3 cups (300 g) shredded mozzarella
• ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• Chopped parsley or basil

Instructions

1. Prepare the dough: Place the flour on a clean surface and make a well in the center. Crack the eggs into the well. Beat them gently with a fork, gradually mixing in the flour.
2. Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
3. Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Cook the onion until softened, then add the garlic and ground beef. Cook until the beef is browned.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer gently for 30–45 minutes.
5. Roll the pasta: Divide the rested dough into smaller pieces. Roll each piece into thin sheets using a rolling pin or pasta machine. Cut them to fit your baking pan.
6. Boil the pasta sheets in salted water for 1–2 minutes. Transfer them to cold water, then lay them flat on clean kitchen towels.
7. Prepare the cheese filling: Mix the ricotta with one egg, parsley and half of the Parmesan.
8. Assemble: Spread a little beef sauce over the bottom of a baking dish. Add a pasta layer, ricotta mixture, mozzarella and more sauce. Repeat until all the ingredients are used.
9. Finish with sauce, mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan.
10. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15–20 minutes until golden and bubbling.
11. Let the lasagna rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Serve warm and enjoy Nonna Pia’s comforting homemade Italian lasagna! 🇮🇹🍝